SM1001909 Part-1

INTRODUCTION
Ι. The importance of, and the ways of, building when you’re listening to the radio, talking to friends, or
vocabulary - watching television.)
Good vocabulary helps, not only in improved Read whatever interests you. If magazines or illustrated
performance in English section of various mannagemnt books are your choice, read them, don’t just look at the
entance exams but in greater enjoyment of the language photographs. Reading and awareness of words will help
and in effective communication as well. you find most of the words you should be learning. It is
also the best way to check on words you have already
Building a better vocabulary can be pleasurable. Even learned.
15 minutes a day of concentrated study on a regular When people use a word that puzzles you, ask what it
basis can bring about a rapid improvement in your means, or write down the word and look it up later,
vocabulary skills. This will, in turn, increase the before the context of the word evaporates.
effectiveness of your spoken and written communication.
You will also understand others’ ideas better. Overall, Use a Dictionary:
you would gain.
The dictionary should be one of the most often used
Many of the words you already know were probably books in your home. Keep it where you can find it readily
picked up as you came across them while reading, in and use it often. If you do your reading and homework in
conversation, perhaps even while watching television. the dining room or drawing room and the dictionary is on
You may already know thousands, and you may a shelf in the bedroom, you’re less likely to use it.
continue to learn more whether you work at it or not.
The home dictionary should be large enough to contain
Consider this, though – if you learned only one new word
much more than just spellings! It should contain extensive
a day for the next three years, you would have about a
definitions, word origins, notes on usage, and examples.
thousand new words in your vocabulary, whereas, if you
Get in to the habit of reading the entire entry for the word
learn ten new words a day, in one year you would have
you look up. Remember, words can have more than one
added over three thousand words to what you already
meaning, and the meaning you need for the word you are
know, and you would also have gained a lasting habit of
looking up may not be the first one given in your
learning and self-improvement.
dictionary. Even if it is, the other meanings of the word will
help you understand the different ways the word is used.
There are no shortcuts to vocabulary improvement.
Also, the word’s “history”, usually given at the end of the
However, as you learn new words, the easier it will be to
entry, can often give you a fascinating picture of the way
connect a new word with words you already know, and
the word has developed its current meaning. This will add
thus remember its meaning. As such, your learning
to the pleasure of learning the word as well as help you
speed will increase even as your vocabulary grows.
remember it.
Let’s look at the most effective steps you can take.
Read, and be aware of words:

Use a Thesaurus:
Start referring to a Thesaurus, which carries groups of
Folks with low vocabulary levels don’t enjoy reading. It’s words within overall meaning. Familiarising yourself with
probably more of a task than a pleasure because they groups of words, by meaning, is an effective method of
don’t understand many of the words. If this applies to being able to deal with contextual usage of words.
you, try reading easier matter. Newspapers are usually
easier than magazines, and a magazine like Reader’s Use the Roots-Prefixes-Suffixes method:
Digest is usually easier to read than, say, The
Economist. It’s important to find things that you would One of the approaches to vocabulary building is to
enjoy reading, and to read as often and as much as identify word ‘parts’ - roots, prefixes, and suffixes – and
possible, with the idea of learning new words always in understand how these parts can go together to form
mind. different words. You will find this approach useful,
because it helps you understand how several words are
formed (at least half of the words in the English language
Reading alone may not be enough to help you learn new
are derived from Greek and Latin roots), and this can
words. When you read a novel, for instance, you must
often be of help in figuring out a word’s meaning from its
curb the desire to get on with the story and skip over
context.
unfamiliar or perhaps vaguely known words. While the
totally unknown words stand out, you have to be Let’s consider the examples of a few familiar
especially aware of words that seem familiar to you but words:
whose precise meanings you may not know. Take a
closer look at such words. First, try to guess at a word’s Let’s start with ‘philosophy’. Simply put, ‘phil’ is the
meaning from its context - that is, the sense of the Greek root for ‘love’, while ‘sopho’ is the Greek root for
passage in which it appears; second, if you have a ‘knowledge’. Thus we have ‘love of knowledge’. When
dictionary on hand, look up the word’s meaning we come across other words with the same roots, we
immediately to confirm or correct your understanding. can make a reasonably good assessment of what they
While this may slow down your reading speed initially, could mean.
the improved understanding of each new word will We could follow the ‘phil’ connection to ‘philanthropy’.
eventually make reading easier and faster. (You could Since ‘anthrop’ is the root for ‘man’ or ‘humans’, we
follow these steps even with words that you come across
Triumphant Institute of Management Education Pvt. Ltd. (T.I.M.E.) HO: 95B, 2nd Floor, Siddamsetty Complex, Secunderabad – 500 003.
Tel : 040–27898195 Fax : 040–27847334 email : [email protected] website : www.time4education.com SM1001909/1
understand that the word means ‘love of man’ or you a word a day, a vocab tip a day, and so on – apart
‘humaneness’. Taking this further, we could consider from those that have tests, puzzles, and word games.
‘anthropology’. Since any ‘ology’ is the set of truths
obtained through study, we understand that the word Refer to vocabulary-building aids (books, etc.). These
means the study of mankind. And so on... can effectively supplement the efforts you make through
the first two steps discussed above. The advantages of
Test yourself with games and puzzles: such materials are that (i) they present you with words
generally considered important to know, thus saving you
time, (ii) they use the words in several sentences, so that
Try your hand at Boggle and Scrabble, games which are
you can see the words in different contexts, and (iii) they
good fun and help you learn and use new words. Try the
usually have exercises that test what you have learned.
crosswords in the newspapers, as well.
Perhaps the most important factor in successful
Use the Internet: vocabulary building, however, is self-motivation. A larger
vocabulary will help you in academics and at work. This
is absolutely true. Believe this, stay keen, and look at
There are thousands of sites on the Web that help the adding to your word bank constantly. Your time could not
‘vocab’ enthusiast, including many free sites that mail be better spent.
ABOUT THIS BOOK

This book is divided into many volumes for your perusal.
The General Word List presents words, meanings of words and usage in sentences. The words are given in
alphabetical order.
There are some more words and their meanings given in the second volume (again in alphabetical order).
The Special Word List is particularly interesting. A wide variety of words has been classified into various categories.
Particularly useful are the Idioms and Phrases, Confusable Words and Collocations which are tested in MBA Entrance
Exams.
The fourth volume deals with Prefixes, Suffixes, Roots and Spellings. Knowing the roots will help you quickly associate
with words having those roots.
This is followed by the fifth volume dealing with Word Groups.
You are advised to go through these volumes by spending some time on a daily basis. Try enjoying the process of
learning new words. You can then attempt the simple tests on synonyms/word usage given in volume - VΙ.
Volumes VΙΙ and VΙΙΙ deal with Vocabulary based Exercises and tests which will enhance your preparation for various
MBA Aptitude tests.
This book also has a set of exercises on various vocabulary based questions which are frequently asked in various
management entrance exams, in order to ensure that a student gets ample practice in solving vocab based questions.
WORD LIST-BEGINNER
This word list presents various words in alphabetical order. Each word is followed by its meaning and a sample
sentence to help you understand its use.
1. ABASE (verb) 5. ABBREVIATION (noun)

Meaning: to lower in esteem or value Meaning: Short form
Usage: Do not abase yourself by giving statements Usage: During the process of abbreviation
that can lower your image. sometimes the spirit of narration can go off.
2. ABASH (verb) 6. ABDICATE (verb)

Meaning: embarrass Meaning: to give up
Usage: I am abashed by public demonstration of Usage: The old king expressed a desire to abdicate
love by couples. the throne.
7. ABDUCTOR (noun)
3. ABATE (verb) Meaning: kidnapper
Meaning: lessen in intensity Usage: With sheer presence of mind he managed to
Usage: You may go out after the storm has abated. break free from his abductors.
4. ABBEY (noun) 8. ABERRANT (adj)
Meaning: convent under an abbot or abbess Meaning: away from the normal
Usage: He pursued a course in theology at an Usage: He is depressed and that is the root cause
abbey in England. of his aberrant behaviour.
9. ABET (verb) 22. ABRIDGED (adj)
Meaning: encourage especially in doing something Meaning: shortened
wrong Usage: I normally carry the abridged version of my
Usage: Abetment of a crime should also be deemed favourite dictionary wherever I go.
a punishable crime.
23. ABROGATE (verb)
10. ABEYANCE (noun) Meaning: cancel or repeal (a law or an agreement)
Meaning: temporarily not happening or being used Usage: The old law needs to be abrogated and an
Usage: The motion was not immediately okayed; it absolutely new law must take its place.
was kept in abeyance till the CEO’s arrival.
24. ABSCOND (verb)
11. ABEYANCE (noun) Meaning: to leave secretly especially to avoid arrest
Meaning: temporarily not occurring or in use. Usage: The bank robbers are still absconding.
Usage: The project was kept in abeyance due to 25. ABSOLUTE (adj)
paucity of funds. Meaning: complete or total
Usage: Someone has rightly said, “Absolute power
12. ABHOR (verb) corrupts absolutely.”
Meaning: hate
Usage: I abhor jokes that demean women or are 26. ABSOLVE (verb)
racist. Meaning: free someone from
Usage: The court absolved the officer of all the
13. ABIDE (verb) charges and asked the concerned department to
Meaning: to stand by. take him back into service.
Usage: Being a stickler for punctuality, he cannot
abide people who are perpetually late. 27. ABSTAIN (verb)
Meaning: to keep away from or hold back
14. ABJECT (adj) Usage: I abstained from voting as I felt that none of
Meaning: extremely unpleasant the candidates deserved to be elected for the
Usage: Abject poverty has made some educated prestigious post.
youth also to take up crime as a career.
28. ABSTRACT (adj)
15. ABJURE (verb) Meaning: not concrete; not practical
Meaning: renounce upon oath Usage: His lectures were too abstract for the
Usage: The king abjured the throne and also students who were thirsting for practical inputs.
declared that he would become an ascetic soon.
29. ABSTRUSE (adj)
16. ABLUTION (noun) Meaning: not easy to understand
Meaning: Washing as a matter of religious rite Usage: His abstruse philosophical utterances could
Usage: He used to sing the latest film songs while not be comprehended by the common man.
taking his morning ablutions.
30. ABUNDANCE (noun)
17. ABNEGATE (verb) Meaning: profusion
Meaning: sacrifice, renounce, self-denial Usage: “There is an abundance of talent all around
Usage: He abnegated his place in the team so that the country”, exclaimed the new coach.
his younger brother could get a chance to play.
31. ABUT (verb)
18. ABOLISH (verb) Meaning: to border upon
Meaning: put an end to (a practice or law) Usage: What is disturbing is that a wine shop abuts
Usage: Some educationists feel that at least at the the school.
primary level, all examinations must be abolished.
32. ACCEDE (verb)
Meaning: yield
19. ABORT (verb)
Usage: I finally had to accede to my daughter’s
Meaning: bring to an end
demand for a computer.
Usage: The attempt to assassinate the diplomat
was aborted by the armed forces.
33. ACCLAIM (verb)
Meaning: greet with loud approval
20. ABOUND (verb)
Usage: Marlon Brando’s fantastic performance in
Meaning: have in large numbers or amounts
The Godfather, won him worldwide acclaim.
Usage: Although the earth abounds in natural
resources, we must be judicious in using them. 34. ACCOLADES (noun)
Meaning: anything given or done as a sign of
21. ABRASIVE (adj) appreciation or respect
Meaning: rough in manner Usage: Michael Jordan has won many accolades in
Usage: His abrasive remarks can rattle even the several basketball tournaments for his outstanding
calmest man on earth. performance.
35. ACCOMMODATING (adj) 47. ADDUCE (verb)
Meaning: ready to make adjustment Meaning: refer to as evidence
Usage: Although Phillip is a very querulous person, Usage: The argument is adduced with evidences in
he has an accommodating wife. order to make it more tenable.
36. ACCORD (noun & verb) 48. ADEPT (adj & noun)
Meaning: agreement Meaning: very skilful; skilled person
Usage: The two warring groups have finally signed Usage: Dorothy’s adept handling of the situation
an accord. pleased her boss very much.
49. ADHERE (verb)

37. ACCRUE (verb) Meaning: stick to; be devoted to
Meaning: to increase or grow naturally Usage: Every citizen of the country must adhere to
Usage: Since you are late you will now have to pay the laws of the land.
the bill along with the interest accrued on it.
50. ADHOC (adj)
38. ACERBIC (adj) Meaning: arranged or happening when necessary
Meaning: sharp (temper, tone, etc) and not planned in advance.
Usage: The mediators got no chance to settle the Usage: The government appointed an adhoc
dispute as the leaders constantly indulged in acerbic committee to review the drought situation in the
speeches. southern states.
39. ACME (noun) 51. ADJOURN (verb)

Meaning: the highest point Meaning: break off (a meeting) until later
Usage: The special effects in Star Wars marked the Usage: The court adjourned the case.
acme of perfection of cinematic special effects.
52. ADJUDICATE (verb)
40. ACQUIESCE (verb) Meaning: make a formal judgment on an undecided
Meaning: to agree quietly without protest (but also matter
without enthusiasm) Usage: A senior bureaucrat was appointed as an
Usage: The fond husband acquiesced in buying a arbitrator to adjudicate the contentious issue.
mink coat for his wife.
53. ADMINISTER (verb)
41. ACQUISITIVE (verb) Meaning: manage, dispense
Meaning: desiring or eager to acquire Usage: She was administered a palliative by the
Usage: A majority of people in our society are doctor, to ease her pain.
acquisitive by nature and hold material possessions
in high esteem. 54. ADMONISH (verb)
Meaning: reprimand firmly
42. ACQUITTAL (noun) Usage: The traffic cop admonished the motorist for
Meaning: the act of setting free as a result of the violating traffic rules.
judgement of a court 55. ADO (noun)
Usage: The acquittal of the notorious criminal Meaning: without delaying; immediately
sparked off a controversy. Usage: She decided to come to the actual point
43. ACRID (adj) without much ado.
Meaning: pungent
56. ADULATION (noun)
Usage: The acrid smell of ammonium nitrate
Meaning: excessive admiration
inflames my nostrils.
Usage: Despite all the popularity and adulation he is
44. ACRIMONIOUS (adj) as modest as he was before.
Meaning: bitter in manner, speech, etc
Usage: An acrimonious battle is being fought at the 57. ADULTERY (noun)
border. Meaning: the state of disloyalty in a marital
relationship.
45. ACUMEN (noun) Usage: She accused her husband of committing
Meaning: the ability to make good judgments and adultery, and appealed to the court for a divorce.
take quick decisions.
Usage: By sheer dint of hard work and sharp 58. ADVENT (noun)
business acumen he rose to the position of a Meaning: arrival
successful business magnate within a short time. Usage: The advent of new computers made some
workers feel that machines would replace them.
46. ADAGE (noun)
Meaning: an old quote accepted as a truth 59. ADVERSARY (noun)
Usage: I find the adage, ‘A friend in need is a friend Meaning: an opponent or enemy.
indeed’, somewhat ambiguous. Usage: As he is a man of indomitable courage he
remains unvanquished by his adversaries.
60. ADVERSITY (noun) 73. ALLUSION (noun)
Meaning: difficulty, misfortune Meaning: indirect reference to something
Usage: She is a level-headed person who maintains Usage: Milton’s magnum opus, Paradise Lost, has
her composure even in adversity. several allusions to the Bible.
61. AFFABLE (adj) 74. ALTERCATION (noun)

Meaning: good-natured and friendly Meaning: a heated dispute or argument.
Usage: Being an affable and gregarious person she Usage: An altercation ensued between the motorist
made a lot of friends and very soon adjusted herself and the traffic policeman.
to the new atmosphere.
75 AMATEUR (noun)
62. AFFRAY (noun) Meaning: a person who engages in a sport or
Meaning: fight or violent behaviour in a public place. activity as a pastime rather than as a profession.
Usage: A group of students was taken into custody Usage: Although he is an amateur artist his works
by the police for causing an affray at the college show great promise.
campus.
76. AMBIT (noun)
63. AGGRAVATE (verb) Meaning: the range of authority or influence of
Meaning: to worsen something.
Usage: You are aggravating the situation by Usage: The case falls within the ambit of medical
grieving so much over such a petty issue. ethics.
64. AGGRIEVED (adj) 77. AMBIVALENT(adj)
Meaning: resentful because of unfair treatment Meaning: unsure
Usage: Students were aggrieved by the sudden and Usage: Janice has ambivalent reactions about her
unprecedented hike in tuition fees. new job.
65. ALACRITY (noun) 78. AMBUSH (verb)
Meaning: brisk eagerness or enthusiasm Meaning: to make a surprise attack from a hidden
Usage: The party accepted the deal with alacrity. position.
Usage: Naxals ambushed and killed ten policemen
66. ALIBI (noun) who were on patrol duty.
Meaning: an excuse for failure
Usage: The fact that he is quitting the job very soon 79. AMELIORATE (verb)
is a strong alibi for his irresponsible behaviour. Meaning: make (something) better
Usage: Mahatma Gandhi strived relentlessly to
67. ALIMONY (noun) ameliorate the lot of the downtrodden sections of
Meaning: financial support for a husband or wife society.
after separation or divorce.
Usage: The court ordered him to pay a fourth of his 80. AMITY (noun)
earnings as alimony to his estranged wife. Meaning: a friendly relationship between people or
countries.
68. ALLAY (verb) Usage: The United Nations was not successful in
Meaning: reduce or end (fear, concern or difficulty) promoting amity between the belligerent nations.
Usage: His reassurances allayed her fears to a
large extent. 81. AMNESIA (noun)
Meaning: loss of memory
69. ALLEGIANCE (noun) Usage: He has been suffering from amnesia ever
Meaning: loyalty to a person of higher status or to a since he sustained a serious head injury.
group or cause.
Usage: All the team members swore allegiance to 82. AMNESTY (noun & verb)
the newly elected chief. Meaning: an official pardon for people convicted of
political offences
70. ALLEVIATE (verb) Usage: The President refused to grant amnesty to
Meaning: ease the convict.
Usage: Is it possible to alleviate the misery of the
83. ANARCHY (noun)
downtrodden when funds are scarce?
Meaning: disorder
Usage: There was complete anarchy after the
71. ALLIANCE (noun)
assassination of the President.
Meaning: the state of being joined or associated
Usage: The rebels formed an alliance with the 84. ANIMOSITY (noun)
students’ group. Meaning: hatred or strong dislike
Usage: She does not nurture any rancor or
72. ALLURE (noun) animosity even against those who tried to malign
Meaning: powerful attractiveness or charm her.
Usage: We were bewitched by the mystical allure of
the idyllic surroundings.
85. ANNALS (noun) 97. APPROBATION (noun)
Meaning: a historical record of events year by year Meaning: commendation, official approval
Usage: His acts of bravery, as a commander of the Usage: His flawless speech received widespread
British Army, made him a legend in the annals of approbation.
military history.
98. APPROPRIATE (adj)
86. ANNIHILATE (verb) Meaning: suitable, correct for a particular
Meaning: destroy completely circumstance
Usage: Lethal weapons have the capacity to Usage: The company is passing through a difficult
annihilate the entire human race. time; this is not the appropriate time to think of
employee welfare.
87. ANONYMITY (noun)
Meaning: secrecy 99. ARBITRARY (adj)
Usage: The bureaucrat was willing to speak if he Meaning: based on random choice or impulse
was assured of anonymity. Usage: One must avoid taking arbitrary decisions
and never venture into anything before weighing
88. ANTAGONISM (noun) the pros and cons.
Meaning: feeling of hatred
Usage: Such antagonism in sports makes me 100. ARDENT (adj)
question the real purpose of sport itself. Meaning: very enthusiastic
Usage: Many youngsters are ardent fans of pop
89. ANTECEDENT (adj) icons.
Meaning: going before in time, prior
Usage: The doctor intended to take into account 101. ARDOUR (noun)
the antecedents of the disease before starting his Meaning: very strong feelings of enthusiasm or love
treatment. Usage: The ardour and the dedication with which
he performs the work assigned to him is worthy of
90. ANTIDOTE (noun)
emulation.
Meaning: a thing that counteracts something
unpleasant
102. ARDUOUS (adj)
Usage: It is said that walking is an antidote for all
ailments both somatic and psychological. Meaning: very difficult and tiring
Usage: After the arduous journey I must have slept
91. APATHETIC (adj) for about twelve hours.
Meaning: not interested or enthusiastic
103. ARTLESSNESS (noun)
Usage: Although he had led a very active life in his
Meaning: Unpretentiousness
youth, with age and ill health he has now become Usage: Her childlike artlessness endeared her to
apathetic and rather senile. one and all.
92. APOTHEOSIS (noun) 104. ASCENT (noun)
Meaning: the highest point Meaning: an upward slope
Usage: Her acting career reached its apotheosis Usage: His ascent to fame and wealth was the
when she enacted the role of Helen of Troy. result of his diligence and determination.
93. APPALLING (adj) 105. ASCETIC (adj)

Meaning: something that is so bad or unpleasant Meaning: strictly self-disciplined and avoiding any
that it shocks you. pleasures or luxuries
Usage: The social worker was so moved by the Usage: He gave up his opulent life for he now
appalling living conditions of the slum dwellers that preferred to lead an ascetic existence.
he vowed to ameliorate their lot.
106. ASCRIBE (verb)
94. APPENDAGE (noun) Meaning: assign, put down to
Meaning: a thing attached to or projecting from Usage: Do not ascribe ulterior motives to children.
something larger or more important
107. ASPERSION (noun)
Usage: The ancient Indian texts, the Upanishads
Meaning: critical remark about someone’s character
are appendages to the Vedas.
Usage: Don’t cast aspersions on anyone’s character.
95. APPETITE (noun) 108. ASPIRE (verb)
Meaning: hunger, desire Meaning: have ambitions
Usage: Her appetite has been impaired after a Usage: One must always aspire to reach one’s
recent bout of illness. chosen goal in life.
96. APPRISE (verb) 109. ASSAIL (verb)
Meaning: inform Meaning: to attack violently, either physically or
Usage: Experts of the intelligence department with words.
have apprised the government of a possible Usage: He was assailed by a gang of armed men
terrorist attack in the capital. when he was on his way home from work.
110. ASSAY (verb & noun) 122. AVENGE (verb)
Meaning: evaluation Meaning: to punish or hurt somebody in return for
Usage: Abraham Lincoln’s first assay into politics something bad or wrong that they have done for
was a disaster. you, your family or friends.
111. ASSIDUOUS (adj) Usage: She vowed to avenge the condescending
Meaning: diligent, constant treatment meted out to her.
Usage: He is an assiduous worker and an asset to
the company. 123. AVER (verb)
Meaning: avow
112. ATHEIST (noun) Usage: The disgruntled patron averred that he
Meaning: doubter would never support an upcoming artist in future.
Usage: Though I am not an atheist, yet
sometimes, I am not very sure about the modern 124. AVERSION (noun)
day ideas of godliness. Meaning: dislike
Usage: I have an aversion for sweetmeats.
113. ATONEMENT (noun)
125. AVERT (verb)
Meaning: amends for a wrong Meaning: turn away, prevent
Usage: Having lived a corrupt and immoral life he Usage: The alert crew averted a major accident.
has now turned to spirituality to make atonement
for the sins he has committed 126. AVID (adj)
Meaning: keenly interested
114. ATROPHY (verb & noun) Usage: Being an avid collector of rare artefacts
Meaning: waste away she has an amazing collection of several antique
Usage: He is suffering from muscular atrophy. pieces.
115. ATTENUATE (verb) 127. AVOW (verb)

Meaning: made weak or less effective Meaning: assert or confess openly
Usage: Antibiotics are administered to a person Usage: The Home Minister avowed that there was
suffering from infections in order to attenuate the no deterioration in the law and order situation in
bacteria and viruses responsible for causing the recent months.
infection.
128. AWESOME (adj)
116. AUDACITY (noun) Meaning: very impressive or very difficult
Meaning: willingness to take bold risks. Usage: The mountaineers were congratulated on
Usage: The Principal was shocked at the audacity their awesome achievement.
and impudence of some of his students. 129. AWRY (adj)
117. AUGUST (adj) Meaning: away from the expected course or position
Meaning: inspiring respect and admiration Usage: Our plans for the picnic had gone awry
Usage: Although she was initially nervous while thanks to the unseasonal rains.
addressing the august gathering, very soon she
began to feel at ease and started speaking 130. BADINAGE (noun)
eloquently. Meaning: a humorous or light-hearted
conversation that often involves teasing
118. AUSPICES (noun) Usage: He often engaged in friendly badinage with
Meaning: with the help, support or protection of his colleagues in order to lighten the atmosphere.
somebody.
Usage: Several important issues were discussed 131. BALEFUL (adj)
in the symposium which was held under the Meaning: causing or threatening to cause harm
auspices of the state government.
Usage: Intimidated by the thief’s baleful looks, the
119. AUSTERE (adj) travellers handed over their valuables to him
Meaning: lacking comforts, luxuries or decoration. without protest.
Usage: Despite inheriting a huge fortune, he
continued to live an austere life. 132. BALMY (adj)
Meaning: pleasantly warm
120. AUTOCRAT (noun) Usage: It was a balmy and redolent spring morning
Meaning: a ruler who has absolute power; a and the weather was just ideal to go for a picnic.
domineering person
Usage: People rebelled against the autocrat who 133. BARE-FACED (adj)
had been tyrannizing them for a long time. Meaning: done openly and without shame.
Usage: We were shocked by his bare-faced audacity.
121. AVAIL (noun & adj)
Meaning: use or benefit 134. BARRING (prep)
Usage: The doctors left no stone unturned to save Meaning: except-for, if not for
the patient, but to no avail. Usage: Barring a few stray incidents of violence the
strife-torn city was more or less peaceful.
135. BAUBLE (noun) 148. BENIGN (adj)
Meaning: a showy trinket or decoration. Meaning: cheerful and kindly
Usage: Unlike other young women of her age, Usage: The hostess greeted us with a benign smile.
Nina is not interested in decking herself up with
baubles or other accessories. 149. BEQUEATH (verb)
Meaning: leave
136. BEDLAM (noun) Usage: The old man did not bequeath his wealth to
Meaning: a scene of great confusion and noise. his wayward sons.
Usage: The crowd was arrested by the police for
150. BERATE (verb)
causing bedlam at the public place.
Meaning: to criticize or speak angrily to somebody
137. BEDROCK (noun) because you do not approve of something they
Meaning: the central principles on which have done
something is based. Usage: The master berated the servant for not
Usage: Honesty and mutual trust form the bedrock doing his job properly.
of a lasting relationship.
151. BEREFT (adj)
138. BEFOGGED (adj) Meaning: deprived of, without
Meaning: totally confused. Usage: His statements are bereft of any truth.
Usage: Lack of proper sleep can make a person
befogged and petulant. 152. BEWILDERING (adj)
Meaning: difficult to understand
139. BEGRUDGE (verb) Usage: The bewildering array of jewellery
Meaning: feel aggrieved about displayed in the shop made my choice very difficult.
Usage: I know he won’t begrudge it if you ask him
for a personal loan.
153. BEWITCHED (verb)
140. BEGUILE (verb) Meaning: attracted and delighted by something
Meaning: to trick somebody into doing something Usage: The tourists were bewitched by the idyllic
especially by being nice to them. surroundings and the tranquility of the place.
Usage: He was so beguiled by her charm that he
failed to understand that her intention was to 154. BICKER (verb)
deceive him. Meaning: to argue about unimportant matters.
Usage: The couple were so incompatible that they
141. BEHOVE (verb)
constantly bickered over trifles.
Meaning: it is right or necessary for somebody to
do something.
155. BILATERAL (adj)
Usage: It behoves us to call on him when he is sick.
Meaning: two-sided
142. BELEAGUERED (adj) Usage: There is an urgent need for bilateral talks
Meaning: in difficulties, harassed between India and Pakistan.
Usage: Several governmental and voluntary
organisations came forward to offer assistance to 156. BILIOUS (adj)
the beleaguered victims of the tsunami. Meaning: bad-tempered, full of anger.
Usage: Being a thoroughly bilious person, he does
143. BELIE (verb) not get along with anyone.
Meaning: contradict, give the lie to
Usage: The fond parents’ hopes were belied when 157. BLANDISHMENTS (noun)
their son failed in his exams. Meaning: flattery intended to persuade or coax
Usage: There are very few children who do not
144. BELITTLE (verb) yield to blandishments.
Meaning: disparage
Usage: Belittling children in front of others lowers 158. BLASE (adj)
their confidence. Meaning: unenthusiastic about
145. BELLIGERENT (adj) Usage: Over the years he adopted a rather blasé
Meaning: aggressive attitude towards luxury and good life.
Usage: His belligerent nature makes people wary 159. BLINKERED (adj)
of him.
Meaning: cause to have a narrow outlook
146. BEMOAN (verb) Usage: A person with a blinkered approach to
Meaning: lament things cannot accomplish much in life.
Usage: The captain bemoaned that he seldom got
advice from the coach. 160. BLITHE (adj)
Meaning: without thought or care.
147. BENEVOLENT (adj) Usage: Many youngsters drive recklessly on the
Meaning: kind roads with blithe disregard for the traffic rules.
Usage: The benevolent king distributed his wealth
among the poor.
161. BLUSTERY (adj) 173. BRIDLE (verb)
Meaning: stormy, tempestuous Meaning: show sudden annoyance.
Usage: As the night was dark and blustery we She bridled at the allegations levelled against her.
decided to halt at a nearby inn and resume our
journey the next morning. 174. BRUNT (noun)
Meaning: the chief impact of something bad.
162. BOISTEROUS (adj) Usage: Her family often bore the brunt of her mood
Meaning: noisy, lively and high spirited swings and frustrations.
Usage: It was quite a challenge for the teacher, to
discipline a class of twenty boisterous children. 175. BRUSQUE (adj)
Meaning: abrupt or offhand
163. BOMBAST (noun)
Usage: People resented his brusque manners and
Meaning: high-sounding language with little meaning
lack of decorum.
Usage: She kept on bragging about herself
throughout the journey and the other passengers
176. BULLISH (adj)
could not tolerate her bombast.
Meaning: aggressively confident
Usage: He was bullish about his chances of
164. BONAFIDE (adj)
winning the election.
Meaning: genuine
Usage: He is a bonafide student of our college.
177. BULWARK (noun)
165. BONHOMIE Meaning: a person or thing that protects or
Meaning: geniality defends something.
Usage: The work environment in the office is Usage: Unity among the people of the nation acts
fantastic. Such bonhomie is a rarity in professional as a significant bulwark against terrorism.
situations.
178. BUNGLE (verb)
166. BOOMERANG (verb) Meaning: to do something badly or without skill, to
Meaning: if a plan boomerangs on somebody, it fail at something.
hurts them instead of the person it was intended to Usage: The entire job was bungled by a bunch of
hurt. incompetent workers.
Usage: Much to his disappointment his plan to
harm his opponents boomeranged on him. 179. BUOY (verb)
Meaning: to make someone feel happier or more
167. BOYCOTT (verb & noun)
confident about a situation.
Meaning: stay away from
Usage: Although she had been depressed for quite
Usage: The opposition party decided to boycott the
proceedings of the assembly in order to express sometime, she was buoyed by the company of her
their dissidence. friends.
168. BRAVADO (noun) 180. BURSARY

Meaning: boldness intended to impress or Meaning: financial support
intimidate Usage: Please meet the bursar and collect your
Usage: He made a desperate attempt to display bursary.
his bravado in the presence of the girls of his class.
181. BYWORD (noun)
169. BRAVURA (noun) Meaning: a notable example of something.
Meaning: great skill and enthusiasm in doing Usage: Most government officials have become
something artistic. the byword for venality.
Usage: The dancing troupe was widely
complimented for its bravura performance. 182. CACHET (noun)
Meaning: the state of being respected or admired
170. BRAWN (noun)
Usage: Few acquisitions can match the cachet of
Meaning: physical strength as opposed to
owning a Mercedes Sedan.
intelligence
Usage: The job was a test of one’s brawn rather
183. CACOPHONY (adj)
than of one’s brain.
Meaning: a harsh mixture of sounds
Usage: The cacophony of vehicular traffic is
171. BREEZY (adj)
responsible for the sound pollution which is
Meaning: having or showing a cheerful and
rampant in cities.
relaxed manner
Usage: Although she is generally breezy and
184. CAGEY (adj)
cheerful, today she seems to be unusually sullen.
Meaning: not frank, secretive
Usage: They were cagey about the deal.
172. BREVITY (noun)
Meaning: shortness
Usage: Brevity is the soul of wit.
185. CALCULATED (adj) 199. CAREWORN (adj)
Meaning: done with awareness of the likely effect. Meaning: showing signs of stress or anxiety.
Usage: As the share market is highly capricious, one Usage: Once a charming young lady, she has
is taking a calculated risk by investing in shares. become craggy and careworn over the years.
186. CALIBRE (noun) 200. CARNIVORE (noun)

Meaning: the quality of a person’s ability Meaning: A flesh eating animal.
Usage: It is unbecoming of a musician of his Usage: The tiger is a carnivore
calibre to stoop to such base levels in order to steal 201. CASCADING (adj)
the limelight from his rivals. Meaning: flow, waterfall
Usage: Many a poet has glorified a woman’s
187. CANDOUR (noun)
lustrous and cascading tresses.
Meaning: the quality of being open and honest
Usage: Candour is a rare quality among politicians. 202. CATEGORICAL (adj)
Meaning: expressed clearly and in a way that
189. CANNY (adj) shows that you are very sure about what you are
Meaning: careful and showing good judgement saying
especially in business or politics. Usage: The Minister gave a categorical assurance
Usage: The canny businessman was ahead of his that welfare measures would be extended to people
peers much to their envy. belonging to all sections of the society.
190. CANOPY (noun) 203. CAUSTIC (adj)
Meaning: a roof-like covering or shelter. Meaning: sarcastic in a hurtful way
Usage: The huge canopy of the hoary banyan tree Usage: The teammates were infuriated by their
offered shelter from the sweltering sun. chief’s caustic remarks.
191. CANTANKEROUS (adj) 204. CAVORT (verb)
Meaning: bad-tempered and uncooperative Meaning: jump or dance around excitedly
Usage: People prefer to stay away from her as she Usage: The children cavorted in the sand and
is a very cantankerous person. thoroughly enjoyed themselves at the beach.
192. CANVASS (verb) 205. CERTITUDE (noun)

Meaning: ask for political support Meaning: feeling of complete certainty
Usage: He has gone out to canvass for his party. Usage: It cannot be predicted with certitude that
the judgement will be in our favour.
193. CAPITULATE (verb)
Meaning: to agree to do something that you have 206. CESSATION (noun)
been refusing to do for a long time Meaning: the action or an instance of stopping.
Usage: The hijackers were forced to capitulate Usage: Sometimes there seems to be no
when they realised that they were over powered. cessation of the evils that have beset the world
194. CAPRICIOUS (adj) 207. CHAPERONE (verb)

Meaning: showing sudden changes in attitude or Meaning: to act as an escort for someone.
behaviour Usage: The actress was always chaperoned by a
Usage: Most of the characters in Hardy’s novels tall matronly woman wherever she went.
eventually succumb to the capricious workings of
fate. 208. CHARISMATIC (adj)
Meaning: having an attractiveness or charm that
195. CAPSIZE (verb) can inspire admiration or enthusiasm in other people
Meaning: (of a boat) overturn in the water Usage: Being a charismatic leader he had a
Usage: The weather suddenly turned rough and tremendous fan following.
the boat capsized in the choppy sea.
209. CHARY (adj)
196. CAPTIVATE (verb) Meaning: cautiously reluctant
Meaning: enthrall Usage: Having lost a lot of money earlier, he is
Usage: The performance of the children captivated now extremely chary of investing in shares.
the audience.
210. CHASTISE (verb)
197. CAPTIVITY (noun) Meaning: reprimand severely
Meaning: imprisonment Usage: He chastised his team for its slipshod
Usage: Many great leaders wrote their performance.
autobiography in captivity.
211. CHAUVINIST (noun)
198. CARDINAL (adj & noun) Meaning: excessively loyal person
Meaning: most important Usage: The chauvinist was booed by the crowd
Usage: Love for all fellow beings is a cardinal after his speech.
virtue, which is advocated by scriptures of all religions.
212. CHIDE (verb) 225. CLEMENCY (noun)
Meaning: scold or rebuke Meaning: kindness shown to somebody when they
Usage: He chided his servant for breaking the tea are being punished
pot. Usage: The murderer’s plea for clemency was
rejected by the Supreme Court, which had imposed
213. CHIMERICAL (adj) the death sentence on him.
Meaning: extremely fanciful
Usage: His dream of rooting out corruption seems 226. CLIQUE (noun)
chimerical. Meaning: a small group of people who spend their
time together and do not welcome others into their
214. CHINK (noun) group.
Meaning: a narrow opening in something Usage: The unfriendly clique of male politicians
especially one that lets light through. resented the presence of women in the Parliament.
Usage: Daylight entered the room through a chink
in the curtains. 227. CLOISTERED (adj)
Meaning: shut away, secluded
215. CHRONIC (adj) Usage: After retirement, he is leading a cloistered
Meaning: lasting for a long time life.
Usage: Diabetes is a chronic and debilitating
ailment, which leaves a person weak and emaciated. 228. CLOUT (noun)
Meaning: influence or power.
216. CHRONICLE (noun) Usage: Using all his clout in political circles he
Meaning: a written record of events in the order in managed to clinch the deal.
which they happened.
Usage: The chronicle of the turbulent times of the 229. COALESCE (verb)
post war years makes for poignant reading. Meaning: unite, come together
Usage: Some atoms coalesce to from molecules.
217. CHURLISH (adj)
Meaning: rude or bad-tempered 230. COERCED (verb)
Usage: I was rather surprised when a polished Meaning: force
gentleman like him turned down her invitation in Usage: The accused alleged that the police had
such a churlish manner. coerced him into giving a confession.
231. COGENT (adj)
218. CIRCUMSPECT (adj)
Meaning: strongly and clearly expressed in a way
Meaning: cautious
that people believe.
Usage: While driving, it is better to be circumspect
Usage: The reasons cited by them for not
than be sorry later.
executing the plan do not seem to be cogent.
219. CIRCUMVENT (verb) 232. COGNATE (adj)
Meaning: avoid Meaning: similar
Usage: The reigning chess champion Usage: There are many cognate words in English
circumvented every move of his opponents. and Greek.
220. CITATION (noun) 233. COGNIZANCE (noun)
Meaning: a quotation from or reference to a book Meaning: knowledge
or author Usage: Keep your boss in full cognizance of the
Usage: The speaker made extensive citations to prevailing situation.
Ruskin Bond in his speech which showed his
admiration for the author. 234. COLLABORATE (verb)
Meaning: work together with other
221. CITE (verb) Usage: The young team has decided to
Meaning: quote collaborate with the old task force.
Usage: During the course of his speech, he cited a
few verses from the scriptures. 235. COLLAPSE (verb)
Meaning: fall fold; breakdown; lose strength
222. CIVILITY (noun) suddenly
Meaning: politeness Usage: Law and order collapsed totally during the
Usage: His behaviour is a model lesson in civility. bandh called by the opposition.
236. COLLATERAL (noun & adj)
223. CLAMOROUS (adj)
Meaning: security
Meaning: noisy
Usage: Collateral is a must for availing bank loans.
Usage: The clamorous crowd gave him its full
support. 237. COLLOQUIAL (noun & adj)
Meaning: informal
224. CLANDESTINE (adj) Usage: I wish the meetings of the society were
Meaning: kept secret, surreptitious conducted in a more formal manner. The
Usage: The Minister was accused of having colloquies are, at times, taking out the seriousness
clandestine dealings with the underworld. of the issues to be discussed.
238. COMMUTE (verb) Usage: There is no conclusive evidence to prove
Meaning: Change to one less severe. that he is guilty of committing the offence.
Usage: The judge commuted the death sentence
of the prisoner to life imprisonment. 251. CONCOCTION (noun)
Meaning: mixture
239. COMPASSION (noun) Usage: The heady concoction had an intoxicating
Meaning: a strong feeling of sympathy for people effect on us.
who are suffering
Usage: All religions of the world advocate 252. CONDESCENDING (adj)
compassion for fellow human beings. Meaning: patronizing
Usage: The condescending tone of his speech
240. COMPATRIOT (noun) irritated even the dignitaries.
Meaning: fellow citizen
Usage: As a compatriot I have some duties 253. CONDONE (verb)
towards others. Meaning: accept or forgive (an offence or wrong
doing)
241. COMPETITIVE (adj) Usage: No nation in the world condones terrorism.
Meaning: involving competition
Usage: In this increasingly competitive world, one 254. CONDUIT (noun)
must be thoroughly competent and skilled in order Meaning: a person, an organization or a country
to stay in the race. that is used to pass things or information to other
people or places.
242. COMPLACENT (adj) Usage: He was accused of acting as a conduit
Meaning: too satisfied with yourself or with a between the politicians and the underworld.
situation (usually disapproving) 255. CONFISCATE (verb)
Usage: In the current competitive scenario no one Meaning: take or seize with authority
can afford to be complacent. Usage: The police confiscated his assets when the
charges of corruption levelled against him were
243. COMPLAISANT (adj) proved judicially.
Meaning: willing to please others or to accept their
behaviour without protest 256. CONFORM (verb)
Usage: People always take advantage of her Meaning: comply with, abide by
complaisant nature. Usage: The traffic police has issued a warning that
punitive action will be taken against those who fail
244. COMPLIANT (adj)
to conform to safety rules.
Meaning: conforming to requirements
Usage: He is too compliant and finds it difficult to 257. CONFOUND (verb)
say ‘no’. Meaning: surprise or bewilder
Usage: The public prosecutor objected to the
245. COMPLICITY (noun)
Meaning: involvement defence lawyer's deliberate attempt to confound
Usage: The lawyer claimed that he could prove the the witness.
complicity of the accused in the crime.
258. CONGENITAL (adj)
246. COMPULSION (noun) Meaning: present at birth, habitual
Meaning: pressure forcing someone to do Usage: Congenital anomalies are often attributed
something to consanguineous marriages.
Usage: Although she was reluctant to accept the
259. CONGREGATE (verb)
proposal, she had to acquiesce out of compulsion.
Meaning: gather into a crowd or mass
247. CONCEPTION (noun) Usage: All his friends and relatives congregated at
Meaning: beginning, comprehension, idea the airport to bid him adieu when he was going
Usage: The peace plan seems to be doomed right abroad to pursue higher studies.
from the conception stage itself.
260. CONGRESS (noun)
248. CONCERTED (adj) Meaning: a formal meeting of delegates for discussion
Meaning: jointly arranged or carried out. Usage: The Congress decided to support
Usage: All nations of the world should make a globalisation.
concerted effort to curb terrorism.
261. CONJECTURE (noun)
249. CONCILIATE (verb) Meaning: guess, surmise
Meaning: to reconcile bring together Usage: It is my conjecture that he is not guilty.
Usage: The mediator made a vain attempt to
conciliate the two groups involved in the conflict. 262 CONJUGAL (adj)
Meaning: marital
250. CONCLUSIVE (adj) Usage: The young couple are enjoying their
Meaning: proving something and allowing no conjugal bliss.
doubt or uncertainty.
263. CONNOTE (verb) 277. CONVENE (verb)
Meaning: suggest Meaning: call together
Usage: It is a misconception that showing emotion Usage: The chief convened an urgent review
and being demonstrative connotes weakness. meeting.
264. CONSCIENTIOUS (adj) 278. CONVICT (verb)

Meaning: taking care to do things carefully and Meaning: declare to be guilty of a criminal offence
correctly by the verdict of a jury or the decision of a judge in
Usage: As a conscientious teacher Shobana could a court of law.
not be a silent witness to mass copying. Usage: He was convicted of the crime as there
was enough evidence against him.
265. CONSENSUS (noun)
Meaning: agreement 279. CONVIVIAL (adj)
Usage: After prolonged discussion a consensus has Meaning: welcoming
emerged among the party men now. Usage: He thanked the convivial crowd for giving
him such a warm welcome.
266. CONSONANCE (noun)
Meaning: agreement or compatibility 280. CORPORAL (adj)
Usage: Consonance among all the members of a Meaning: physical
team, leads to a better performance. Usage: Central schools have imposed a total ban
267. CONSTRUCTIVE (adj) on corporal punishments.
Meaning: serving a useful purpose
Usage: He is always open to constructive criticism. 281. CORROBORATION (verb)
Meaning: validation
268. CONSTRUE (verb) Usage: The witness’ statement corroborated the
Meaning: be interpreted in a particular way evidence, which the police already had.
Usage: I construed his silence for acceptance and
went ahead with my plan. 282. COSMETIC (adj)
Meaning: involving or producing an apparent or
269. CONSUMMATE (verb & adj) superficial concession, improvement etc without
Meaning: showing great skill and flair any real substance to it.
Usage: The teacher showed consummate skill in Usage: Except for a few cosmetic changes nothing
handling the difficult situation. significant has been done to improve the situation.
270. CONTAGION (noun)
Meaning: a means of transmission. 283. COSMOPOLITAN (noun & adj)
Usage: The unhygienic ghettoes were a breeding Meaning: consisting of people from different
ground for every kind of contagion. countries
Usage: Since he studied at various places he is
271. CONTEMPLATION (noun) now a true cosmopolitan.
Meaning: attentive viewing or consideration
Usage: Most often he seems to be lost in 284. COSSET (verb)
contemplation. Meaning: care for and protect in an excessively
soft-hearted way
272 CONTEMPORARY (adj) Usage: As he was cossetted and pampered by his
Meaning: modern, of that period doting parents, he turned out to be a spoilt brat.
Usage: In the contemporary world, advertisements
can create an image around boring personalities too. 285. COTERIE (noun)
273. CONTENTIOUS (adj) Meaning: an exclusive group of people with
Meaning: controversial shared interests or tastes.
Usage: The contentious issue needs to be properly Usage: The coterie of henchmen is said to have
discussed. influenced the minister in a lot of underhand
dealings.
274. CONTINGENT (adj)
Meaning: dependent 286. COURSE (noun)
Usage: My tour to Denver is contingent upon the Meaning: a direction taken or intended
sanction of my leave. Usage: The golf course was full of pot holes.
275. CONTRAVENE (verb) 287. COURTESY (noun)

Meaning: break Meaning: polite and considerate behaviour.
Usage: Criminals contravening the provisions of Usage: He was a thorough gentleman who treated
the constitution do not make to the headlines of everyone with utmost courtesy.
newspapers these days.
288. COURTLY (adj)
276. CONUNDRUM (noun) Meaning: very dignified and polite
Meaning: a confusing and difficult problem or Usage: He charmed everyone with his courtly
question deportment.
Usage: The conundrum about the existence of life
after death defies all explanation.
289. COVERT (adj) 302. CULTIVATED (adj)
Meaning: secret or hidden, making it to difficult to Meaning: having a high level of education and
notice showing good manners.
Usage: In a covert operation the terrorists blew up Usage: She was a graceful, cultivated woman who
a police outpost. was well liked by everyone.
290. COYNESS (noun) 303. CURRENT (adj)

Meaning: pretending to be shy or modest. Meaning: present, flow
Usage: I found her coyness and affected manners Usage: The current financial position of the
rather disgusting. company is not sound.
291. CRASS (adj) 304. CURSORY (adj)

Meaning: very thoughtless and stupid Meaning: fleeting, casual, hastily done
Usage: He often parries the crass questions posed Usage: One cursory glance at the newspaper is
by his wife as they are vexatious. enough for a professional to separate the wheat
from the chaff.
292. CRAVEN (adj)
Meaning: lacking courage. 305. CYNOSURE (noun)
Usage: The craven subjects meekly obeyed the Meaning: anything that strongly attracts attention
diktats of the monarch. or admiration.
Usage: The gorgeously dressed woman was the
293. CREDIBILITY (noun) cynosure of all eyes at the party.
Meaning: belief
306. DAPPER (adj)
Usage: No one can question Jane’s credibility.
Meaning: (of a man) neat in dress and appearance
Usage: The dapper youngman, charmed everyone
294. CREDULOUS (adj) at the party with his impeccable manners.
Meaning: gullible
Usage: I wonder how such credulous people 307. DAREDEVIL (adj)
survive in modern times. Meaning: physically dangerous and requiring
courage.
295. CRESCENDO (noun) Usage: We watched the acrobat’s daredevil stunts
Meaning: gradually becoming louder with bated breath.
Usage: The music at the New Year Party hit a
crescendo at midnight. 308. DAUNT (verb)
Meaning: cause to feel nervous or discouraged.
296. CRESCENT (adj) Usage: The intrepid traveller was not daunted by
Meaning: the curved sickle shape of the waxing or the hardships involved in the long and arduous
waning moon; a curved street of houses journey.
Usage: The crescent of the moon has caught the
attention of many a poet. 309. DEBACLE (noun)
Meaning: a complete failure or disaster
297. CRITICAL (adj)
Usage: Although his maiden attempt at directing a
Meaning: of or at a crisis
film was a sheer debacle, he gradually became a
Usage: The patient’s condition is critical.
director of repute.
298. CRUDITY (noun)
Meaning: something which lacks refinement. 310. DEBILITATE (verb)
Meaning: enfeeble, enervate
Usage: Such crudity is unbecoming of a
Usage: A bout of viral fever has left me debilitated.
descendant of an illustrious blue-blooded family.
311. DECAPITATE
299. CRYPTIC (adj)
Meaning: to behead.
Meaning: mysterious or obscure in meaning.
Usage: The notorious criminal was decapitated.
Usage: His cryptic reply to my query left me totally
flummoxed.
312. DECIMATE (verb)
Meaning: destroy a large proportion of
300. CULPABLE (adj) Usage: More people are decimated on the roads of
Meaning: guilty, liable to blame, responsible Delhi than in a war.
Usage: Though he accidentally knocked down and
killed the skater, he is guilty of culpable homicide 313. DECLAIM (verb)
not amounting to murder. Meaning: to express something with strong
feeling, especially in a loud voice or with forceful
301. CULT (noun) language.
Meaning: something popular or fashionable Usage: The writer declaimed against the evils of
among a particular group of people. terrorism.
Usage: Art of living, initiated by Sri Sri Ravishankar
has now become a cult among many Indians.
314. DECOROUS (adj) 326. DEIFY (verb)
Meaning: behaving politely and in a controlled way. Meaning: making into or worship as a god.
Usage: He was a thorough gentleman who always Usage: Illiterate people, particularly in rural India,
behaved in a decorous way. deify politicians and film stars and build temples in
their name.
315. DECOY (noun)
Meaning: a person or thing used to mislead or lure 327. DELIBERATION (noun)
someone into a trap. Meaning: the process of carefully considering or
Usage: The enemy troops planted a decoy to discussing something.
divert the attention of their rivals. Usage: He gave his consent after a lot of
deliberation.
316. DECAY (noun)
Meaning: to cause or undergo decomposition. 328. DELIMIT (verb)
Usage: Excessive consumption of sweets leads to Meaning: to make or describe the limits of
tooth decay in children. something.
Usage: The powers given to the bureaucrats are
317. DECRY (verb) delimited by the respective ministries.
Meaning: express strong disapproval
Usage: The minister strongly decried the lack of 329. DELUGE (noun)
proper rehabilitation programmes for the victims of Meaning: torrential rain
the earthquake. Usage: There was a deluge of people for the
tickets for the one-day international.
318. DEDUCE (verb)
Meaning: arrive at (an opinion) by reasoning. 330. DEMENTED (adj)
Usage: I could deduce from his silence that he is
Meaning: behaving in a crazy way because of
not in favour of the decision.
being extremely upset or worried
Usage: She was nearly demented with worry and
319. DEFACE (verb)
ran from pillar to post to trace her lost child.
Meaning: spoil the appearance of
Usage: Vandals defaced the great leader’s statue.
331. DEMUR (noun)
320. DEFAMATORY (adj) Meaning: the action of raising objections
Meaning: spoiling the good reputation Usage: They accepted the treatment meted out to
Usage: The bureaucrat announced his decision to them, by their superiors, without demur.
sue the newspaper for publishing defamatory
remarks against him. 332. DEMURE (adj)
Meaning: shy
321. DEFECTION (noun) Usage: The renowned actress played the role of a
Meaning: the act of abandoning one’s country or demure bride, to perfection.
cause in favour of an opposing one.
Usage: The defection of a big chunk of MLAs to
333. DENIGRATE (verb)
the ruling party came as a big blow to the
Meaning: to say that someone or something is not
opposition.
good or important
322. DEFUNCT (adj) Usage: The author of the novel was castigated
Meaning: no longer in existence because he denigrated the beliefs of a particular
Usage: The abacus is more or less defunct these religious group.
days.
334. DEPICT (verb)
323. DEFUSE (verb) Meaning: to represent or show something in a
Meaning: to stop a possibly dangerous or difficult picture or story.
situation from developing especially by making Usage: In his novels Thomas Hardy depicts man
people less angry or nervous. as a victim of the vagaries of fate.
Usage: She tried to defuse the highly charged
atmosphere in the room by cracking jokes. 335 DEPLETING (adj)
Meaning: reduce in quantity or numbers
324. DEGENERATE (adj) Usage: Environmentalists are concerned about the
Meaning: having neglected the high qualities of depleting ground water level.
mankind.
Usage: The doctor was shocked to find the 336. DEPLORABLE (adj)
degenerate attitude prevalent among some of his Meaning: very bad and unacceptable, often in a
colleagues. way that shocks people.
Usage: The principal severely rebuked the
325. DEGRADED (adj) students for their deplorable behaviour and warned
Meaning: not worthy of any respect them to mend their ways.
Usage: The world’s natural environment has been
degraded to such an extent that there seems to be
little hope for humanity.
337. DEPRECATE (verb) 349. DETER (verb)
Meaning: to feel and express strong disapproval of Meaning: discourage from doing something
something through fear of the consequences
Usage: The opposition deprecated the decision Usage: The exorbitant price of branded clothes
taken by the ruling party claiming that it was does not deter the fashion conscious youth of
detrimental to the interest of the nation. today.
350. DETEST (verb)

338. DERIDE (verb) Meaning: hate
Meaning: ridicule Usage: I detest people who tell lies.
Usage: Deriding the suggestions made by
youngsters is bound to discourage them. 351. DETRIMENTAL (adj)
Meaning: causing harm or damage
339. DEROGATORY (adj) Usage: Medical practitioners, across the world,
Meaning: disparaging aver that a sedentary lifestyle is detrimental to
Usage: Politicians using derogatory comments one’s health.
against their adversaries is a very common 352. DEVIOUS (adj)
phenomenon. Meaning: skilful in using underhand tactics
Usage: The venal politician amassed a lot of
340. DESECRATE (verb) wealth through devious means.
Meaning: damage, despoil
Usage: The invaders desecrated the holy shrines. 353. DEVOUR (verb)
Meaning: to take in greedily with senses or the
341. DESIDERATUM (noun) intellect.
Meaning: something that is needed or wanted. Usage: He devours books by the dozen.
Usage: Punctuality is a desideratum for the
354. DEVOUT (adj)
smooth functioning of any organization.
Meaning: deeply religious
Usage: She was a devout and God fearing person
342. DESIST (verb) who never swayed from the path of righteousness.
Meaning: to stop doing something.
Usage: As he is hypertensive, he was advised to 355. DICTION (noun)
desist from smoking. Meaning: pronunciation, language
Usage: He could be a good orator if he improves
343. DESPERADO (noun) his diction.
Meaning: a desperate or reckless criminal.
Usage: The police managed to capture the fugitive 356. DICTUM (noun)
desperado when he surfaced from his hide out last Meaning: a formal statement from an authoritative
week. source
Usage: He fimly believed in the dictum, ‘Neither a
344. DESPERATE (adj) borrower nor a lender be’.
Meaning: causing or involving anxiety
Usage: As he is getting older the actor seems to 357. DIDACTIC (adj)
be desperate to get as many roles as possible. Meaning: intended to teach or give moral
instruction
345. DESPICABLE (adj) Usage: Didactic literature does not appeal to a
Meaning: very unpleasant or bad, causing strong majority of today’s youth.
feelings of dislike.
Usage: All nations of the world denounced the 358. DIFFIDENCE (noun)
terrorist attack as the most despicable of human Meaning: shyness
crimes. Usage: She gradually overcame her initial
diffidence and began to feel at home in the new
346. DESTINY (noun) surroundings.
Meaning: the events that will happen to a person,
seen as impossible to be changed 359. DILATORY (adj)
Usage: Escaping unhurt, despite being in the jaws Meaning: slow to act
of death after encountering a ghastly accident, is Usage: The government was criticized, by the
sheer destiny. opposition, for its dilatory approach in providing
relief measures to the flood ravaged villages.
347. DESULTORY (adj)
Meaning: aimless 360. DIMUNITIVE (adj)
Usage: He is weak at studies mainly because his Meaning: extremely or unusually small.
reading habits are desultory. Usage: The petite young lady was a diminutive
figure beside her burly husband.
348. DETENTION (noun)
361. DIRE (adj)
Meaning: custody
Meaning: extremely serious or urgent.
Usage: Many freedom fighters wrote their
Usage: His untimely death left his family in dire
autobiographies during the period of their detention.
straits.
362. DISBURSEMENT (noun) 374. DISPENSE (verb)
Meaning: pay out (money from a fund) Meaning: give out
Usage: The philanthropic trust, which is involved in Usage: It is alarming to note that criminals are
the disbursement of funds for charitable activities, holding parallel courts and dispensing justice.
was extolled by people.
375. DISQUIET (noun)
363. DISCERN (verb) Meaning: unrest
Meaning: recognize or be aware of Usage: There was a lot of disquiet among the
Usage: I could discern a tinge of sarcasm in his technical people about the launch of the new
tone. product.
364. DISCORD (noun)
Meaning: lack of agreement or harmony 376. DISSEMBLE (verb)
Usage: The couple decided to opt for a divorce Meaning: to give a false or misleading appearance
because of marital discord. Usage: She is an upright individual not prone to
dissemble.
365. DISCOURSE (noun)
Meaning: written or spoken communication or 377. DISSEMINATE (verb)
debate. Meaning: distribute
Usage: The spiritual discourse aroused the Usage: The purpose of teaching is not merely to
philosopher in me. disseminate information but to instil a love for
learning.
366. DISCREET (adj)
Meaning: careful not to attract attention or give 378. DISSENT (noun)
offence Meaning: lack of agreement
Usage: They made a few discreet enquiries before Usage: Dissent within the members of the political
clinching the deal. party led to its devastating fall.
367. DISCRETE (adj)
Meaning: individually separate and distinct 379. DISSIPATE (verb)
Usage: Although they look similar they are as Meaning: waste (money, energy or resources)
discrete as chalk and cheese. Usage: Having dissipated all his ancestral
inheritance, he is now a bankrupt.
368. DISCRETIONARY (adj)
Meaning: decided according to the judgement of a 380. DISSOLUTE (adj)
person in authority about what is necessary in each Meaning: degenerate (lacking moral restraint or
particular situation. discipline)
Usage: The employees may be eligible for a Usage: His dissolute behaviour shocked all his
discretionary bonus. acquaintances.
369. DISCRIMINATE (verb) 381. DISSONANCE (noun)

Meaning: make a distinction (between) Meaning: discord
Usage: Death does not discriminate between the Usage: The dissonance at the meeting makes me
rich or poor, old or new, man or woman. feel that we are not heading towards peace.
370. DISDAIN (verb) 382. DISTEND (verb)

Meaning: to think that something or someone is Meaning: swell
not good enough to gain your respect or attention. Usage: The belly of this child has distended
Usage: Being an overly haughty person, he because of malnutrition.
disdained her advice.
383. DISTORT (verb)
371. DISMEMBER (verb) Meaning: deform, misrepresent
Meaning: to cut or tear the dead body of a person Usage: Politicians distorting facts to suit their
or an animal into pieces. needs is no news now a days.
Usage: In the name of rituals people in primitive
societies used to dismember animals and humans. 384. DITHER (verb)
Meaning: a state of agitation or indecision
372. DISPARATE (adj) Usage: Do not waste your time in dithering lest the
Meaning: (of two or more things) different in every opportunity should slip out of your hands.
way.
Usage: The nature of the two jobs were so 385. DIVERTED (verb)
disparate that she found it hard to adapt from one Meaning: redirect, entertain, distract
to the other. Usage: The traffic was diverted as a new flyover
was being constructed.
373. DISPASSIONATE (adj)
Meaning: not influenced by strong emotion 386. DIVEST (verb)
Usage: Despite being struck by a grave tragedy Meaning: strip
she remained dispassionate and took things in her Usage: The Minister was divested of all powers.
stride in a highly practical manner.
387. DOCTRINAIRE (adj) 399. DURESS (noun)
Meaning: very strict in applying beliefs or principles. Meaning: threats or violence used to force a
Usage: Although people respect him for his person to do something
knowledge and intelligence, most resent his Usage: The witness was forced to sign the
doctrinaire attitude. document under duress.
388. DOGGED (adj) 400. EARMARK (verb)

Meaning: showing determination, not giving up easily Meaning: be chosen for a particular purpose
Usage: Despite the obstacles which came his way Usage: The central government has earmarked `55
he pursued his goal with dogged tenacity and crore towards developmental activities.
emerged successful.
401. EBULLIENT (adj)
389. DOLEFUL (adj) Meaning: cheerful and full of energy
Meaning: sad or depressing Usage: The idea of going on a long holiday to his
Usage: A doleful atmosphere prevailed across the favourite destination put him in an ebullient mood.
nation when the news of the President’s death
spread like wildfire. 402. ECLECTIC (adj)
Meaning: not following one style or a set of ideas
390. DOSSIER (noun) but choosing from or using a wide variety.
Meaning: a set of documents relating to a person, Usage: Besides being a well read person with
event or case. eclectic tastes in literature he is also an acclaimed
Usage: His name figures prominently in the orator.
criminal dossier.
403. ECSTATIC (adj.)
391. DOUR (adj) Meaning: feeling or showing great enthusiasm
Meaning: very severe or stern Usage: The musician received an ecstatic
Usage: The new teacher who looked dour and applause from the audience.
sullen failed to make a favourable impression on
her students. 404. EDICT (noun)
Meaning: an official order or statement given by
392. DOVETAIL (verb) somebody
Meaning: fit together easily or conveniently. Usage: A government edict cannot be violated.
Usage: His tastes and interests dovetailed well
with that of his spouse. 405. EFFUSIVE (adj.)
Meaning: expressing emotion in an unrestrained way
393. DRABNESS (noun) Usage: The agitated man was very effusive in his
Meaning: The state of being dull and uninteresting. speech.
Usage: Being an adventure loving person she
resented the drabness of her life and craved to do 406. EFFACE (verb)
something exciting. Meaning: rub off (a mark) from a surface.
Usage: Post independence, the country was trying
394. DRACONIAN (adj) to efface the unpleasant memories of British rule.
Meaning: harsh
Usage: POTA is considered to be a draconian law 407. EGOCENTRIC (adj)
by some people. Meaning: selfish
Usage: After interpreting Hitler’s suicide note,
395. DREARY (adj) experts concluded that he was egocentric.
Meaning: bleak and depressing
Usage: Having led a very active life while in 408. EGREGIOUS (adj)
service, he now finds his retired life dreary and Meaning: outstandingly bad or shocking
monotonous. Usage: Such an egregious blunder could only be
committed by a computer.
396. DULCET (adj)
Meaning: sweet and soothing 409. EGRESS (noun)
Usage: The bawling baby calmed down as soon as Meaning: exit
she heard her mother’s dulcet voice. Usage: Forgive me for the transgression but I
would like to show the egress to all these
397. DUMBFOUNDED (adj) lawmakers.
Meaning: greatly astonished
Usage: I was completely dumbfounded for a 410. ELAN (noun)
couple of minutes when I was declared the winner. Meaning: showing great enthusiasm and energy,
style and confidence
398. DUN (verb) Usage: The elegant young woman could carry off
Meaning: to pressurize any type of dress with élan
Usage: Credit card agents constantly dun
customers for payment.
411. ELICIT (verb) 424. ENCUMBER (verb)
Meaning: to make out Meaning: burden, get in the way
Usage: The police managed to elicit vital Usage: Children should not be encumbered with a
information from the criminal. lot of homework.
412. ELOQUENT (adj) 425. ENDANGER (adj)

Meaning: fluent or persuasive in speaking or Meaning: exposed to danger
writing Usage: Endangered species of birds and animals
Usage: Since he is an eloquent speaker people should be saved from becoming extinct.
listen to him with rapt attention.
426. ENDEAVOUR (noun)
413. ELUCIDATE (verb) Meaning: a serious effort to achieve something.
Meaning: make clear, explain Usage: He was on cloud nine when his maiden
Usage: Since his theory was abstruse he endeavour at directing a film was a phenomenal
elucidated it to the gathering. success.
427. ENDURANCE (noun)
414. EMANCIPATE (verb) Meaning: the fact or power of enduring something
Meaning: free from legal social or political painful and long-lasting.
restrictions Usage: The movie was so absurd that sitting
Usage: Abraham Lincoln was instrumental in through it, was a test of one’s endurance.
emancipating the slaves of America.
428. ENHANCE (verb)
415. EMBARK (verb) Meaning: increase the quality, value, or extent of
Meaning: begin (a new project or course of action) Usage: Reading contributes a great deal to
Usage: We decided to survey the market before enhance one’s knowledge and wisdom.
embarking on the project.
429. ENNUI (noun)
416. EMBELLISH (verb) Meaning: listlessness and dissatisfaction arising
Meaning: make more attractive from boredom.
Usage: Since time immemorial women have liked Usage: Having nothing constructive to do we were
to embellish themselves with jewellery. overcome by ennui.
417. EMBEZZLE (verb) 430. ENSHRINE (verb)

Meaning: misappropriate Meaning: preserve (a right, tradition, or idea) in a
Usage: He was dismissed from service, when he form that ensures it will be respected.
was found guilty of embezzling official funds. Usage: The right to individual liberty is enshrined
in the constitution of India.
418. EMBODIMENT (noun)
431. ENTHRALLING (adj)
Meaning: a person or thing that represents or is a
Meaning: holding someone’s attention
typical example of an idea or a quality.
Usage: The musician’s enthralling performance
Usage: Mother Teresa was an embodiment of love
was acknowledged with a standing ovation by the
and compassion.
audience.
419. EMINENT (adj) 432. ENTICE (verb)
Meaning: famous Meaning: attract, beguile
Usage: The eminent writer will be honoured next Usage: The abductors enticed the children with
month. some chocolates.
420. EMISSARY (noun) 433. ENTWINE (verb)
Meaning: representative Meaning: to twist or wind something around
Usage: The finance minister was sent as the PM’s something else.
special emissary to the GATT conference. Usage: The creeper entwined itself to the bark of
the tree.
421. EMOTIVE (adj)
Meaning: causing people to feel strong emotions 434. EPITHET (noun)
Usage: Euthanasia is a highly emotive issue. Meaning: a word or phrase used to describe the
most important quality of a person or thing
422. EMPATHIZE (verb) Usage: His tyrannical behaviour earned him the
Meaning: be in sympathy with epithet, Hitler.
Usage: The heroine of the novel Tess of the
Durbevilles is made to experience such poignant 435. EPITOME (noun)
situations that we can’t help empathizing with her. Meaning: essence
Usage: She is an epitome of good manners
423. EMPHATIC (adj) because of her excellent upbringing.
Meaning: done or said in a strong way and without
any doubt. 436. EQUANIMITY (noun)
Usage: The principal was emphatic about the Meaning: calmness and evenness of temper
importance of punctuality and the adherence to Usage: She maintains her equanimity even during
rules and regulations of the institution. the most trying circumstances.
437. EQUIVOCAL (adj) 449. EVIDENCE (noun)
Meaning: Meaning: proof, indication, show
Usage: Clever politicians deliberately give Usage: The judge felt that the appeal was not
equivocal statements. backed up by sufficient evidence.
438. EROSION (noun) 450. EVINCE (verb)
Meaning: gradual wearing away Meaning: to make obvious or show clearly.
Usage: Indiscriminate felling of trees leads to soil Usage: Throughout her student life she evinced
erosion which in turn has a detrimental effect on keen interest in improving her academic knowledge.
the fertility of the soil.
451. EVOKE (verb)
439. ERRANT (adj) Meaning: call to mind
Meaning: straying from the accepted course or Usage: Susan’s antics evoke images of my
standards childhood.
Usage: The Principal warned the boisterous
students of punitive action if they did not mend 452. EVOLVE (verb)
their errant behaviour. Meaning: develop gradually
Usage: People were highly superstitious and
440. ERUDITE (adj)
puritanical during the medieval ages but over the
Meaning: learned
years the human race has gradually evolved into a
Usage: His erudite statements left the common
more rational species.
man totally confused.
441. ESPOUSE (verb) 453. EXACERBATE (verb)

Meaning: adopt or support Meaning: make worse
Usage: Ardent feminists who espoused the cause of Usage: His weak physical health was exacerbated
women’s liberation were instrumental in elevating the by the dank and inclement weather.
position of women in a male chauvinistic society. 454. EXALTED (adj)
442. ETCH (verb) Meaning: at a high level
Meaning: cut (a text or a design) on a surface. Usage: He rose to the exalted position of the
Usage: The glass panels of the windows were president by working very hard.
etched with beautiful designs. 455. EXCULPATE (verb)
443. ETHOS (noun) Meaning: show / declare to be not guilty of
Meaning: the moral ideas and attitudes that belong wrongdoing.
to a particular group or society Usage: The accused was exculpated by the court
Usage: The ethos of the organisation is to deliver when the accusations levelled against him were
quality service to the people. proved to be false.
444. ETIQUETTE (noun) 456. EXHORTATION (noun)

Meaning: the code of polite behaviour in a society. Meaning: the act of speaking strongly and earnestly
Usage: It is unbecoming of a person of his calibre Usage: The leader's exhortation roused the team
to breach the rules of professional etiquette in such a members into action.
blatant manner.
457. EXIGENT (adj)
445. EULOGY (noun) Meaning: pressing
Meaning: a speech or writing in praise, a funeral Usage: Terrorism is an exigent international
oration. problem which needs to be tackled expeditiously.
Usage: Many a poet has sung eulogies in praise of
the dead king. 458. EXONERATE (verb)
Meaning: clear
446. EUPHEMISTIC (adj) Usage: After a thorough investigation he was
Meaning: using less direct words instead of those exonerated from the charges levelled against him.
which are harsh and blunt. 459. EXPEDITIOUS (adj)
Usage: “Vertically challenged” is a euphemistic Meaning: quick and efficient.
term to refer to short people. Usage: The Chief Minister ordered expeditious
action to be taken against the errant officials.
447. EUPHORIA (noun)
Meaning: a feeling of great happiness 460. EXPONENT (noun)
Usage: The initial euphoria of winning the election Meaning: a promoter of an idea or theory
gradually waned and the elected representatives Usage: Shankaracharya was an exponent of the
got back to their respective duties. Advaita philosophy.
448. EVASIVE (adj) 461. EXPULSION (noun)

Meaning: elusive Meaning: the act of expelling, banishment
Usage: The seasoned politician kept giving Usage: The Minister had to face expulsion from
evasive answers to all the controversial questions. the party when his alleged involvement in the
scandal was proved judicially.
462. EXPUNGE (verb) 474. FALLACIOUS (adj)
Meaning: remove completely Meaning: based on a mistaken belief
Usage: She made an earnest attempt to expunge Usage: The critics felt that the Finance Minister’s
the unpleasant memories of the past and begin life argument was fallacious.
afresh.
475. FALLIBLE (adj)
463. EXQUISITE (adj) Meaning: prone to mistakes
Meaning: very beautiful and delicate, highly refined Usage: Human beings are fallible.
Usage: The rare artefacts in the museum spoke
volumes about the exquisite craftsmanship of the 476. FALLOW (adj)
artists of a bygone era. Meaning: when nothing is created or produced,
not successful
464. EXTEMPORIZE (verb) Usage: After a fallow period, trading in the country is
Meaning: to speak or perform without advance gradually picking up momentum.
preparation or thought
Usage: Despite extemporizing his speech, he 477. FAMISHED (adj)
managed to capture the listeners‘ attention. Meaning: very hungry.
Usage: We were famished and exhausted after the
465. EXTRADITE (verb) long and arduous journey.
Meaning: to officially send back somebody who has
been accused or found guilty of a crime to the country. 478. FANATICISM (noun)
Usage: The culprit who was involved in the bank Meaning: extreme beliefs or behaviour, especially in
scam was extradited from Britain. connection with religion or politics.
Usage: Parochialism and fanaticism have a
466. EXTRAVAGANT (adj) retrogressive effect on a nation’s development.
Meaning: profligate, exaggerated
Usage: Adam’s extravagant lifestyle has been a 479. FARCE (noun)
source of constant worry to his wife. Meaning: a ridiculous or meaningless situation or
action.
467. EXTRICATE (verb) Usage: The entire examination system, these
Meaning: wriggle out days, has been reduced to a complete farce.
Usage: The seasoned politician managed to
extricate himself from the controversy. 480. FATALISM (noun)
Meaning: the belief that all events are decided in
468. EXUBERANT (adj) advance by a supernatural power and humans
Meaning: lively and cheerful have no control over them.
Usage: She is normally a very exuberant person Usage: Towards the fag end of her life, her attitude
but of late she appears to be rather dour. towards life was one of stoic acceptance driven by
fatalism.
469. EXULTANT (adj)
Meaning: jubilant 481. FATHOMLESS (adj)
Usage: The exultant sponsors announced a gift of Meaning: incapable of being understood or
$1,00,000 to the child prodigy. explained.
Usage: After a long, fathomless and rather
470. EYESORE (noun) uncomfortable silence she began to speak.
Meaning: something that is very ugly.
Usage: The ramshackle old house was a real 482. FATIGUE (noun)
eyesore in the upmarket neighbourhood with its Meaning: extreme, tiredness
palatial bungalows. Usage: We were overcome by fatigue after
trekking over the mountains continuously for
471. FABLED (adj) almost three hours.
Meaning: famous
Usage: Visiting the fabled city of Rome, during my 483. FAWNING (adj)
holiday in Europe last year, was a dream come Meaning: trying to gain favour by servile flattery or
true for me. attentive behaviour
Usage: Fawning bureaucrats, trying to curry favour
472. FACETIOUS (adj) with politicians are a common sight these days.
Meaning: treating serious issues with
inappropriate humour 484. FEINT (noun)
Usage: The facetious remarks made by some men Meaning: a false show, a pretence.
on women’s day was met with the scorn which it Usage: He tried a couple of feints to distract his
rightly deserved. opponents.
485. FELICITY (noun)

473. FACTUAL (adj)
Meaning: great happiness and pleasure
Meaning: based on or concerned with facts or facts.
Usage: The incompatible couple were always
Usage: He was not aware of the factual errors in
squabbling with each other and as a result
his essay until they were pointed out.
domestic felicity was totally lacking in their lives.
486. FERVENT (adj) 499. FLAIL (verb)
Meaning: keen Meaning: swing or cause to swing widely
Usage: The defendant made a fervent appeal to Usage: I saw this girl slip and fall from that tree,
the judges to listen to his version also. her arms and legs flailing.
487. FETISH (noun) 500. FLOUNDER (verb)
Meaning: something to which a person is Meaning: have trouble doing or understanding
obsessively devoted something.
Usage: She is a diehard workaholic who makes a Usage: His unexpected question left me totally
fetish of her work. flummoxed and floundering for an answer.
488. FEUD (noun) 501. FLOURISH (verb)
Meaning: A long-lasting and bitter dispute Meaning: be successful during a specified period.
Usage: The long-standing feud between the two Usage: Art and crafts flourished greatly during the
contiguous nations culminated in a bloody war. reign of the Mughal rulers.
489. FICTITIOUS (adj)
Meaning: of or related to fiction 502. FLUCTUATE (verb)
Usage: Though fictitious, the character of Sherlock Meaning: rise and fall irregularly in number or
Holmes appears very real. amount.
Usage: The prices of petrol and diesel have been
490. FIDDLING (adj) constantly fluctuating during the past one year.
Meaning: small, unimportant or difficult to do.
Usage: Being a punctilious person, she is finicky 503. FOE (noun)
even about fiddling details. Meaning: an enemy or opponent.
Usage: He proved to be a formidable foe to his
491. FIDELITY (noun) adversaries.
Meaning: continuing faithfulness to a person
cause or belief 504. FOIST (verb)
Usage: Since I promised fidelity to the organisation Meaning: to pass off (on or upon)
in which I am working, I cannot divulge this Usage: Parents should not foist their beliefs and
information which should be kept confidential. desires on their children.
492. FIENDISH (adj) 505. FOOTING (noun)

Meaning: devilishly cruel Meaning: a secure grip with one’s feet.
Usage: The beheading of innocent Indians held Usage: While walking on the narrow bridge, she
hostage by the Taliban, was denounced by all lost her footing and fell into the water.
nations of the world as a fiendish act.
493. FILLIP (noun) 506. FOOTNOTE (noun)
Meaning: a stimulus, esp. of encouragement a Meaning: an extra piece of information that is
boost printed at the bottom of a page in a book.
Usage: His words of encouragement gave the Usage: The footnote provided in the book makes
much needed fillip to his sagging morale. an interesting reading.
494. FINESSE (noun) 507. FOREBODING (noun & adj)

Meaning: elegant or delicate skill Meaning: a feeling that something bad will happen.
Usage: The plan was executed with masterly Usage: She seemed to have had a foreboding of
finesse. her imminent death.
495. FINESSE (noun) 508. FORESTALL (verb)

Meaning: elegant or delicate skill Meaning: to prevent something from happening by
Usage: Despite being amateur artists they acting first.
performed the play with masterly finesse. Usage: A posse of policemen were deployed at the
site to forestall any untoward incident.
496. FITFUL (adj)
Meaning: active or occurring irregularly 509. FORFEIT (verb)
Usage: Having had a fitful sleep last night, I felt Meaning: lose or give up as a necessary result
groggy throughout the day. Usage: If you fail to pay the fee on time you will
forfeit your seat.
497. FIXATION (noun)
Meaning: an excessive interest in someone or 510. FORLORN (adj)
something. Meaning: very sad and lonely
Usage: Jane’s fixation with cleanliness, Usage: The orphaned children looked so forlorn
sometimes, annoys her husband Joe. that my heart went out for them.
498. FLAGRANT (adj) 511. FORTE (noun)
Meaning: very obvious and unashamed Meaning: a thing for which someone has a
Usage: The boisterous students were rusticated particular talent.
from the college for indulging in vandalism and Usage: Since acting had always been her forte she
flagrant violation of set norms. decided to pursue a course in theatrics.
512. FORTHRIGHT (adj) 524. FURTHERANCE (noun)
Meaning: direct and outspoken Meaning: the action of helping a plan or interest to
Usage: Newspapers are expected to be forthright in progress.
expressing their views without any bias. Usage: The delegates of the two countries agreed
to cooperate in the furtherance and improvement of
513. FORTUITOUS (adj) cultural ties.
Meaning: happening by luck.
Usage: By a fortuitous turn of events, he was able 525. FUSILLADE (noun)
to turn adversity into an advantage. Meaning: a series of shots fired at the same time
or quickly one after the other
514. FRACAS (noun) Usage: The criminal was killed instantly when the
Meaning: noisy disturbance or quarrel police fired a fusillade of bullets at close range.
Usage: The fracas between the two rival groups
led to factional rivalry. 526. FUSTY (adj)
Meaning: smelling stale, damp or stuffy.
515. FRACTIOUS (adj) Usage: She was confined for several hours in a
Meaning: irritable and bad-tempered dingy and fusty old room by her kidnappers.
Usage: Incessant nagging by parents tends to
make a teenager fractious and defiant. 527. GAFFE (noun)
Meaning: an embarrassing blunder
516. FRAY (noun) Usage: He seems to be oblivious of the serious
Meaning: an affray, a brawl gaffe he committed during the course of his speech.
Usage: There is a stiff competition between the
two candidates who are in the fray for the post of 528. GAINSAY (verb)
the general secretary. Meaning: deny or contradict, speak against
Usage: Although people criticise her as a hard task
517. FRENETIC (adj) master there is no gainsaying the fact that she is a
Meaning: involving a lot of energy charismatic leader.
Usage: The activity, which began at a frenetic
pace, was suspended abruptly owing to 529. GAIT (noun)
insurmountable circumstances. Meaning: a person’s way of walking.
Usage: The comedian who was a stubby man with a
518. FRENZY (noun) peculiar gait, never, failed to amuse his audience.
Meaning: a state or period of uncontrolled
excitement or wild behaviour 530. GALVANIZE (verb)
Usage: In a state of frenzy the angry mob Meaning: shock or excite into action
destroyed public property. Usage: The new leader is expected to galvanize
his entire team.
519. FRETFUL (adj)
Meaning: behaving in a way that shows you are 531. GAMBIT (noun)
unhappy or uncomfortable. Meaning: an action or remark intended to gain an
Usage: The stuffy atmosphere in the class room advantage
made the children cranky and fretful. Usage: In a shrewd bureaucratic gambit the
corrupt politician was caught red-handed.
520. FRIVOLITY (noun)
Meaning: behaviour that is silly or amusing 532. GANGLING (adj)
especially when this is not suitable Meaning: (of a person) tall, thin and awkward
Usage: Although he is an intelligent and Usage: He was a gangling teenager when I last
hardworking student, he is too easily distracted by saw him, but now has grown into a handsome and
frivolities. polished gentleman.
521. FRUGAL (adj) 533. GARBLED (adj)

Meaning: economical in the use of anything Meaning: reproduced (a message or transmission)
Usage: Although he is extremely wealthy he in a confused and distorted way.
believes in a frugal existence. Usage: The garbled message led to a comedy of
errors.
522. FRUITION (noun)
Meaning: when a plan or an idea begins to 534. GARISH (adj)
happen, exist or be successful. Meaning: unpleasantly bright and showy
Usage: A project of this magnitude takes at least a Usage: Her garish dressing reflected her poor
decade to reach fruition. sartorial taste.
523. FUNCTIONARY (noun) 535. GARNER (verb)
Meaning: a person whose job is to do administrative Meaning: gather or collect
work, esp. for a government or a political party. Usage: He campaigned extensively and garnered
Usage: Several functionaries of government enough support from the electorate.
departments were entrusted with polling duty at the
time of elections.
536. GARRET (noun) 549. GHASTLY (adj)
Meaning: a room, often a small dark unpleasant Meaning: causing great horror or fear.
one, at the top of a house, especially in the roof. Usage: The murderer who was guilty of committing
Usage: Apart from huge piles of junk, the garret the ghastly homicide was sentenced to death.
also had some antique furniture.
550. GHOULISH (adj)
537. GARRULITY (noun) Meaning: having an unhealthy interest in death or
Meaning: the state of being extremely talkative. disaster
Usage: His unrestrained garrulity was rather Usage: People belonging to some tribal
irritating. communities living in the Amazon jungles are
crude and uncivilized and have a ghoulish passion
538. GAUCHE (adj) for weird practices.
Meaning: socially awkward or unsophisticated
551. GLEAN (verb)
Usage: The gauche young village lass felt like a
Meaning: collect gradually from various sources
fish out of water in the snobbish and sophisticated
Usage: The evidence to support his theory was
atmosphere.
gleaned from books and experiments.
539. GAUNT (adj) 552. GLISTEN (verb)
Meaning: lean and haggard Meaning: to shine
Usage: I saw a gaunt, lanky man moving around Usage: She looked sick with worry and her forehead
the street looking rather suspicious. was glistening with apprehensive perspiration.
540. GENEALOGY (noun) 553. GLUT (noun)
Meaning: family tree Meaning: an excessively large supply
Usage: When you draw the genealogy of our Usage: The copious rains this year, led to a glut in
family do not forget to give a copy to me. the production of food grains.
541. GENERATION (noun) 554. GOAD (verb)

Meaning: age group, production Meaning: provoke to action.
Usage: An aging generation with no social security Usage: Constant goading by her parents spurred
is worrying sociologists. her into action.
542. GENESIS (noun) 555. GORY (adj)

Meaning: origin Meaning: involving a lot of blood or violence,
Usage: If you trace the genesis of our family we showing or describing blood and violence.
are the descendents of Rabindranath Tagore. Usage: Gory rituals like human sacrifice are
practised even to this day by African tribals.
543. GENETICS (adj) 556. GRADATION (noun)
Meaning: the science of heredity Meaning: arrangement into categories
Usage: By the way, can genetics explain why the Usage: The gradation of the questions from easy
entire lineage seems to have homogeneous to difficult became a controversial issue.
qualities?
557. GRADIENT (noun)
544. GENIAL (adj) Meaning: incline
Meaning: friendly and cheerful Usage: The steep gradient at the foot of the hillock
Usage: Being a warm and genial person, Jane has is proving to be a safety hazard for motorists.
endeared herself to all her friends.
558. GRATIFYING (verb)
545. GENIALITY (noun) Meaning: giving pleasure or satisfaction
Meaning: cheerfulness Usage: It is gratifying to note that children, these
Usage: The guests were overwhelmed by the days, are taking active interest in social service.
hostess’s warmth and geniality.
559. GRATUITOUS (adj)
546. GENOCIDE (noun) Meaning: unwarranted, free
Meaning: the murder of a whole race or group of Usage: I get irritated when people give me
people gratuitous advice.
Usage: Genocide and ethnic violence rocked
several regions of the world after the Second World 560. GRAVE (adj & noun)
War. Meaning: serious, tomb, ominous, solemn
547. GENRE (noun) Usage: The grave expression on his face told me
Meaning: type that it was not the right time to talk to him.
Usage: Classic movies of different genres will be
shown at the Paradise theatre during the film festival. 561. GRAVITY (noun)
Meaning: seriousness, solemnity
548. GETAWAY (noun) Usage: Try and understand the gravity of the
Meaning: escape or quick departure. situation.
Usage: The thieves managed to make a quick
getaway before the police arrived on the scene.
562. GREGARIOUS (adj) 575. HARMONIOUS (adj)
Meaning: sociable Meaning: not discordant, free from conflict
Usage: Marketing men are, almost invariably, Usage: The company has flourished as it has
gregarious by nature. always maintained a harmonious relationship with
its customers.
563. GRIEF (noun)
Meaning: deep sorrow, especially caused by 576. HARROWING (adj)
someone’s death Meaning: extremely upsetting or disturbing
Usage: She was overwhelmed with grief when she Usage: With acute water scarcity and frequent
heard the tragic news of her sister’s death in a power cuts, most city dwellers are in for a
ghastly road accident. harrowing summer this year.
564. GRIEVANCE (noun)
577. HAVEN (noun)
Meaning: complaint, injustice
Meaning: a place where people or animals feel
Usage: Please take your grievance to someone
safe, secure and happy.
who is in a position to help.
Usage: The resort which is a tranquil haven, is an
565. GRIEVOUS (adj) ideal getaway after a long and stressful week.
Meaning: grave
Usage: The scooterist was grievously injured in the 578. HEADWAY (noun)
accident. Meaning: forward progress
Usage: The police seem to be making little
566. GRIM (adj) headway in investigating the bank robbery which
Meaning: very serious or gloomy shook the entire city.
Usage: People, particularly children, distanced
themselves from her because she always had a 579. HEARTEN (verb)
grim expression on her face. Meaning: raise someone’s spirits
Usage: It is heartening to learn that many young
567. GULLIBLE (adj) people are coming forward to join the armed forces
Meaning: easily persuaded to believe something in order to defend their mother land.
Usage: The unscrupulous man called himself an
expert investment adviser and tried to peddle 580. HEARTFELT (adj)
stocks to gullible clients. Meaning: deeply felt
Usage: We offered our heartfelt sympathies to the
568. HABITAT (noun) members of the bereaved family.
Meaning: home
Usage: Even the best zoos are poor substitutes for 581. HECKLE (verb)
natural animal habitats. Meaning: interrupt (a public speaker) with
comments or abuses.
569. HACKNEYED (adj) Usage: The meeting was stopped abruptly as the
Meaning: used too often and therefore boring Chief Minister who was addressing the gathering
Usage: The movie, which had a hackneyed theme was heckled by the angry public.
failed to capture the interest of the audience.
582. HEGEMONY (noun)
570. HALLMARK (noun) Meaning: dominance of one group or state over
Meaning: a distinctive feature another
Usage: Malleability is the hallmark of pure gold. Usage: India was under British hegemony for
several decades
571. HAPHAZARD (adj)
Meaning: random 583. HERETICAL (adj)
Usage: The preparations for the wedding are Meaning: against traditional religious doctrine
taking place in a rather haphazard manner. Usage: Robert’s heretical statements embarrass
his associates no end.
572. HAPLESS (adj)
Meaning: unfortunate 584. HETEROGENEOUS (adj)
Usage: The hapless couple met with an accident. Meaning: varied
Usage: The classes in American colleges have a
heterogeneous composition.
573. HARBINGER (noun)
585. HIDEOUS (adj)
Meaning: a person or thing that announces or
Meaning: extremely ugly
signals the approach of something
Usage: Her otherwise pretty face turned hideous
Usage: The nightingale is a harbinger of spring.
after she sustained grievous injuries in a road
574. HARD-LINE (adj) accident.
Meaning: an uncompromising support for a firm
policy. 586. HILARIOUS (adj)
Usage: The rulling party drew a lot of flak from the Meaning: extremely funny or merry.
citizens for adopting a hard-line stance. Usage: The movie, which was totally hilarious and
thoroughly entertaining, was enjoyed not only by
children but also by adults.
587. HINGE (verb) 600. HURTLE (verb)
Meaning: depend entirely on. Meaning: move at great speed
Usage: The fate of an agrarian economy hinges, to Usage: The children playing in the street were
a large extent, on a copious monsoon. mowed down by a hurtling truck.
588. HITHERTO (adv) 601. HYPERBOLE (noun)
Meaning: upto this time Meaning: an exaggerated statement
Usage: Hitherto, schools mainly emphasized on Usage: The correct usage of hyperbole could add
rote learning, now the focus is on the all round spice to a writing.
development of the child.
589. HOARD (noun) 602. HYPOCHONDRIAC (noun)
Meaning: a store of money and valued objects. Meaning: a person who is excessively anxious
Usage: In a major breakthrough, the police about his health.
unearthed a hoard of jewels and antique artefacts Usage: The hypochondriac was assured by his
recently. doctor that nothing was wrong with his health.
590. HOARY (adj)
603. HYPOTHETICAL (adj)
Meaning: of an advanced age, advanced in years
Meaning: theoretical
Usage: Children enjoyed listening to the hoary
tales narrated by the octogenarian. Usage: It is merely hypothetical to state that we
would have been better off under a different form of
591. HOBBLE (verb) government.
Meaning: walk with difficulty or pain
Usage: Having been afflicted with polio during 604. IDIOSYNCRATIC (adj)
childhood, he had been hobbling around on crutches. Meaning: individual or peculiar
592. HOLDINGS (noun) Usage: His method of extracting work from his
Meaning: an amount of property that is owned by subordinates is idiosyncratic but successful.
a person.
Usage: He is an extremely wealthy person with 605. IGNOMINY (noun)
holdings in various offshore business ventures. Meaning: public disgrace
Usage: The ignominy of being defeated by his arch
593. HOLISTIC (adj) rival was difficult for him to endure.
Meaning: considering the whole rather than
individual parts 606. ILLEGIBLE (adj)
Usage: A holistic approach to transport may be the Meaning: unreadable
solution to most of our commutation problems. Usage: Please give me a printout as your writing is
absolutely illegible.
594. HOLOCAUST (noun)
Meaning: destruction on a mass scale 607. ILLITERATE (adj)
Usage: The world will not be the same if another Meaning: uneducated
nuclear holocaust takes place. Usage: The growing number of illiterates is a
serious cause for concern.
595. HOMICIDE (noun)
Meaning: murder 608. IMMANENT (adj)
Usage: You will be charged with culpable homicide Meaning: present within or throughout
not amounting to murder because you knocked Usage: Theists believe that God is immanent in
down the pedestrian unintentionally. very object of creation.
596. HOMOGENEOUS (adj)
609. IMMINENT (adj)
Meaning: of the same kind
Meaning: coming or likely to happen very soon.
Usage: Though of the same age, the children are
Usage: The louring sky portended an imminent
not a homogenous group.
storm.
597. HONE (verb)
Meaning: make sharper or more efficient. 610. IMMURE (verb)
Usage: Most corporate houses spend a lot of Meaning: hold captive, put under lock and key
money on honing the skills of their employees. Usage: The kidnapped children were immured in a
dilapidated house, away from the city.
598. HUBRIS (noun)
Meaning: excessive pride or self-confidence 611. IMPASSE (noun)
Usage: Most men fail to realize that hubris about Meaning: a situation in which no progress is
their achievements can lead to a miserable possible; a deadlock
downfall. Usage: Negotiations between the management
and the union leaders have reached an impasse,
599. HURL (verb) with both the parties adopting an obstinate stance.
Meaning: to throw something or someone violently
in a particular direction.
Usage: The police were forced to open fire as the
rioters hurled stones at them.
612. IMPECUNIIOUS (adj) 624. INCLINATION (noun)
Meaning: having little or no money Meaning: leaning, slope
Usage: The minister promised financial assistance Usage: Unlike his brother who was a gregarious
to the impecunious peasant families. person, Robert was a loner by nature and by
inclination.
613. IMPERSONATION (noun)
Meaning: pretending to be somebody in order to 625. INCOGNITO (adj & adv)
deceive people or to entertain them. Meaning: in disguise
Usage: He received wide applause from the Usage: The prince roamed in his kingdom
audience for his impersonation of the veteran incognito to know the welfare of his subjects.
actor. 626. INCRIMINATE (adj)
Meaning: indicate as involved in wrong doing
614. IMPERTINENCE (noun) Usage: There is incriminating evidence that the
Meaning: the quality of being disrespectful and defendant had lied under oath.
cheeky.
Usage: I was taken aback by her impertinence. 627. INCUMBENT (adj)
Meaning: necessary for (someone) as a duty.
615. IMPETUOUS (adj) Usage: It is incumbent upon every fresh medical
Meaning: acting or doing quickly and without graduate to serve in rural areas for a year.
thought
Usage: Avoid taking impetuous decisions lest you 628. INCURSION (noun)
should repent later. Meaning: sudden attack
Usage: The army was ready to face the likely
616. IMPLACABLE (adj) incursion of the enemy.
Meaning: unstoppable, unwilling to stop opposing. 629. INDECORUM (noun)
Usage: Although he is a good friend to his Meaning: lack of propriety or decency.
companions and well-wishers he can be an Usage: Attending high society gatherings in
implacable enemy to those who try to harm him. informal clothes is considered to be an act of
indecorum.
617. IMPROMPTU (adj)
Meaning: done without preparation or feeling. 630. INDENTURE (noun)
Meaning: a formal agreement or contract, such as
Usage: Although he delivered an impromptu
one formaly binding an apprentice to work for a
speech, the audience listened to him with rapt master
attention. . Usage: Many Africans were sent to England and
America as indentured servants to tyrannical
618. IMPULSIVE (adj) masters.
Meaning: acting or done without thinking ahead
Usage: He is usually very circumspect and avoids 631. INDIGENT (adj)
taking impulsive decisions. Meaning: very poor
Usage: Despite being hardworking, a majority of
people in this nation lead an indigent life
619. IMPUTE (verb)
Meaning: believe that (something) has been done 632. INDISPOSITION (noun)
or caused by someone or something Meaning: the state of being ill or unfit
Usage: The politician categorically denied the Usage: He had to postpone his trip due to his
motives imputed to him by the media. indisposition.
620. INCAPACITY (noun) 633. INDUBITABLE (adj)

Meaning: lack of ability or skill to do something. Meaning: impossible to doubt
Usage: Ravi’s incapacity to complete his work in Usage: It is an indubitable fact that no nation in the
time drew the displeasure of his employers. world can afford to extol terrorism.
634. INEBRIATION (noun)

621. INCENSE (verb) Meaning: drunkenness
Meaning: to inflame with anger, to enrage. Usage: He revealed the truth while in a state of
Usage: Incensed by the management's apathy, the inebriation.
workers resolved to intensify their strike.
635. INFIRM (adj)
622. INCESSANT (adj) Meaning: sick and weak, especially over a long
Meaning: never stopping period or because of old age.
Usage: The picnic had to be cancelled, with the Usage: One must be considerate towards the
incessant rain playing spoilsport. elderly and the infirm.
623. INCIPIENT (adj) 636. INFLUX (noun)

Meaning: beginning to happen or develop. Meaning: the arrival or entry of large number of
Usage: The political unrest was quelled in its people or things
incipient stages before it could lead to a major Usage: Many hill resorts witness an influx of
agitation. tourists during the summer months.
637. INFRINGE (verb) 650. INSOLENT (adj)
Meaning: break (a law, agreement etc) Meaning: rude and disrespectful
Usage: He was convicted by the court when he Usage: Infuriated by the students’ insolent
was found guilty of infringing the law. behaviour, the principal warned them to mend their
ways.
638. INFUSION (noun)
Meaning: pouring 651. INSOMNIA (noun)
Usage: Infusion of new talent is the need of the Meaning: the condition of being unable to sleep
hour. Usage: Stress is one of the principal causes of
insomnia.
639. INGENIOUS (adj)
Meaning: very suitable for a particular purpose
652. INSTANTANEOUS (adj)
and resulting from clever new ideas
Meaning: happening immediately
Usage: Children are ingenious when it comes to
Usage: She agreed to the proposal
getting their own ways.
instantaneously without any deliberation.
640. INGRATE (noun & adj)
Meaning: an ungrateful person. Gratis: free 653. INSURGENT (adj & noun)
Usage: The ingrate son sneered at the idea of Meaning: rebellious, rebel
looking after his ailing parents. Usage: The armed insurgents attacked the police
station.
641. INGRATIATE (verb)
Meaning: to make acceptable by conscious effort 654. INSURMOUNTABLE (adj)
Usage: He is trying hard to ingratiate himself to his Meaning: insuperable
boss. Usage: Most of the problems we consider
insurmountable can be solved with a bit of
642. INHIBIT (verb)
determination.
Meaning: slow down, stop
Usage: Jane is rather inhibited after her injury.
655. INSURRECTION (noun)
643. INJUNCTION (noun) Meaning: a violent uprising against authority
Meaning: an official order given by a court of law Usage: The insurrection was quelled before it took
which demands that something must or must not a serious turn.
be done
Usage: The injunction issued by the Supreme 656. INTERCESSION (noun)
Court prevents government doctors from setting up Meaning: intervening on behalf of another
private practice. Usage: As the intercession attempt turned out to
be a failure, the two groups continued to be at
644. INNATE (adj) logger heads.
Meaning: inborn, natural
Usage: One’s innate abilities vary from person to 657. INTERIM (adj & noun)
person. Meaning: temporary
Usage: An interim committee was appointed to
645. INNOCUOUS (adj) conduct a probe into the scam.
Meaning: not harmful or offensive
Usage: Although it was a seemingly innocuous 658. INTERJECT (verb)
remark I could discern the insinuation implied in it. Meaning: butt in
Usage: He thought of interjecting before the
646. INQUEST (noun)
problem took a serious turn.
Meaning: an official investigation to find out the
cause of somebody’s death especially when it has
659. INTERMENT (noun)
not happened naturally
Meaning: the burial of a dead body.
Usage: An inquest was held to discover the cause
Usage: The body of the slain leader was taken for
of the official’s mysterious death.
interment after a post-mortem.
647. INQUISITIVE (adj)
660. INTERMINABLE (adj)
Meaning: eagerly seeking knowledge, prying
Meaning: endless
Usage: Children usually have an inquisitive bent of
Usage: These days we have to endure many
mind.
seemingly interminable commercials to watch a
648. INSATIABLE (adj) movie on T.V.
Meaning: voracious
Usage: His insatiable appetite for money has 661. INTERMITTENT (adj)
made him rather ruthless. Meaning: irregular
Usage: The intermittent rain hindered relief
649. INSIDIOUS (adj) operations.
Meaning: sinister
Usage: The insidious effects of terrorism can be 662. INTERN (verb)
felt in every corner of the globe now. Meaning: imprison
Usage: The dictator got the rebels interned without
any trial.
663. INTERSTICE (noun) 676. INVOLUNTARY (adj)
Meaning: a small crack or space in something. Meaning: done without conscious control.
Usage: Water seeped into the room through a tiny Usage: The excruciating pain in my shoulder
interstice in the wall. caused me to let out an involuntary cry of pain.
664. INTERVENED (verb) 677. IRASCIBLE (adj)

Meaning: interfere, occur Meaning: bad-tempered
Usage: The situation would have been worse if the Usage: Socrates had a shrewish wife who was
elders had not intervened. known for her irascible nature.
665. INTIMIDATE (verb) 678. IRKSOME (adj)

Meaning: threaten Meaning: tedious and annoying
Usage: The local bully tried to intimidate the small Usage: The students were vexed with the irksome
town residents. regulations imposed by the warden of the hostel.
666. INTRACTABLE (adj) 679. IRRESOLUTE (adj)

Meaning: stubborn, difficult Meaning: not able to decide what to do.
Usage: The intractable child refused to say sorry Usage: Hamlet, the prince of Denmark was
even after being caught red-handed while cheating notorious for being irresolute.
in the examinations.
680. ITERATE (adj)
667. INTRANSIGENT (adj) Meaning: do or say repeatedly.
Meaning: refusing to change one’s views or Usage: Young children are made to iterate nursery
behaviour rhymes in order to familiarize them with language.
Usage: He could not get along with any of his team
mates because of his intransigent attitude. 681. JADED (adj)
Meaning: tired out or lacking enthusiasm, having
668. INTREPID (adj) had too much of something.
Meaning: extremely, brave Usage: After a hectic session at work we needed a
Usage: The intrepid traveller went ahead with his break to rejuvenate our jaded spirits.
journey despite the many obstacles which he had
to encounter. 682. JARRING (adj)
Meaning: striking against something with a jolt.
669. INTRIGUE (verb) Usage: The room was tastefully decorated except
Meaning: arouse the curiosity or interest of for the dark coloured curtains which had a jarring
Usage: We were greatly intrigued by the lives of effect on the rest of the decor.
the royalty.
683. JAUNDICED (adj)
670. INUNDATE (verb) Meaning: feeling or showing prejudice, distaste or
Meaning: flood jealousy
Usage: The flooded river inundated several villages. Usage: A person with a jaundiced view of the
671. INURE (verb) world seldom derives any happiness out of life.
Meaning: to make someone or something get
684. JEST (noun)
used to something unpleasant so that they are no
Meaning: something said or done to amuse
longer strongly affected by it.
people.
Usage: He became inured to his wife’s persistent
Usage: The remark was made in jest and not
nagging.
meant to be taken seriously
672. INVESTITURE (noun)
Meaning: installation 685. JETTISON (verb)
Usage: I attended the President’s investiture Meaning: throw overboard
ceremony. The entire cargo had to be jettisoned as all but one
of the engines had developed a snag.
673. INVIGORATING (adj)
Meaning: making somebody feel healthy and full 686. JUDICIOUS (adj)
of energy. Meaning: sensible
Usage: The invigorating breeze soothed her tired Usage: The doctor told the diabetic that he must
nerves and distraught soul. be more judicious in his food habits.
674. INVINCIBLE (adj) 687. JUNCTION (noun)

Meaning: unbeatable Meaning: a join; connection; crossroads
Usage: The Juventus Club seems to be invincible. Usage: Every cross road in Delhi has become an
important junction.
675. INVOKE (verb)
Meaning: appeal to, evoke, bring into play 688. JUNCTURE (noun)
Usage: He tried to invoke the blessings of God Meaning: point in time; a convergence of events
before his exams. Usage: The unfaithful husband left his wife at a
critical juncture.
689. JURISDICTION (noun) 701. LACONIC (adj)
Meaning: the authority to administer justice or Meaning: using very few words
exercise power, authority, field. Usage: His style of writing though crisp and laconic
Usage: The policeman refused to file the complaint is easy to comprehend.
as the crime did not take place in his jurisdiction.
702. LAGGARD (noun)
690. JUSTIFICATION (noun) Meaning: a person who falls behind others.
Meaning: good reason, rationale. Usage: Being a laggard he could never keep pace
Usage: Many people feel that there is no with his friends either in academics or in sports.
justification for capital punishment to be awarded to
anyone. 703. LAISSEZ-FAIRE (noun)
Meaning: the process of allowing private
691. JUVENILE (adj) businesses to develop without government control.
Meaning: silly and more typical of a child than an Usage: The laissez faire approach adopted by the
adult government was criticized by puritans as an
Usage: Adults behaving in a juvenile manner often imprudent move.
become the butt of ridicule. 704. LAMENT (verb)
Meaning: to feel or express great sadness or
692. KEEPSAKE (noun) disappointment about somebody or something.
Meaning: a small item kept in memory of the Usage: Many old timers lamented the demolition of
person who gained it or originally owned it. antique structures in the city, in the name of
Usage: I will always treasure the gift he gave me modernization.
for keep sake, before he left for the U.S.
705. LANGUID (adj)
693. KEYSTONE (noun) Meaning: having or showing a disinclination for
Meaning: the most important part of a plan or physical exertion.
argument that the other parts depend on. Usage: She is irritated by his languid attitude as
Usage: The government's resoluteness to she has always been a person full of energy and
extirpate terrorism has been the keystone of its vigour.
development policy.
706. LAPSE (noun & verb)
694. KINDRED (adj) Meaning: a slight error; become void or no longer
Meaning: cognate, congenial valid
Usage: After a single interaction with her, I knew Usage: Even momentary lapse in concentration on
that we were kindred spirits because our tastes and busy roads could prove hazardous.
opinions matched on a majority of issues.
707. LARCENY (noun)
695. KINK (noun) Meaning: the crime of stealing something from
Meaning: a sharp twist or curve in something somebody; an occasion when this takes place
linear; flaw or defect in a plan or operation. Usage: The notorious duo were sentenced to
Usage: The thread that you use for embroidery imprisonment on charges of larceny.
should not have any kinks or knots.
708. LARDER (noun)
696. KIOSK (noun) Meaning: a room or large cupboard for storing
Meaning: a small open-fronted hut from which food.
newspapers, refreshments, tickets etc are sold. Usage: My mother, along with the maid, was
Usage: She has an interesting collection of trinkets planning to go for shopping to replenish the larder.
and other antique knick knacks which she picked
up mostly from roadside kiosks. 709. LARGESSE (noun)
Meaning: generosity
697. KNOLL (noun) Usage: The philanthropist was extolled for his
Meaning: a small round hill. largesse.
Usage: The shepherd grazed his flock on the
grassy knoll everyday. 710. LATITUDE (noun)
Meaning: scope for freedom of action or thought.
698. KUDOS (noun) Usage: Being a blue-eyed boy of the boss he is
Meaning: praise and honour. given the latitude to work at flexible timings.
Usage: The victorious team received kudos from the
students and the faculty for winning the trophy. 711. LAX (adj)
Meaning: not strict severe or careful enough about
699. LABORIOUS (adj) rules or standards of behaviour
Meaning: difficult, arduous. Usage: Lax supervision led to mass copying in the
Usage: The manager tried to cover up the team’s examination.
performance with rather laborious arguments.
712. LEGACY (noun)
700. LABOURED (adj) Meaning: something handed down by a
Meaning: not natural or unprepared predecessor.
Usage: His joke, which was rather laboured, failed Usage: We must be proud of our country’s rich
to evoke laughter. legacy of culture and traditional thought.
713. LEGATEE (noun) 6725. LIBERATE (verb)
Meaning: a person who receives money or Meaning: set free; free from conventional ideas
property about behaviour.
Usage: Since her uncle did not have any children Usage: The woman of today is more liberated
of his own she became the sole legatee to his vast when compared to her ancient counterpart.
property.
726. LIBERTINE (noun)
714. LEGIBLE (adj) Meaning: a person who lives an irresponsible life
Meaning: readable Usage: The libertine led a life of idleness and
Usage: Jona’s writing is barely legible. dissipation and eventually died penniless.
715. LEGION (noun) 727. LIEGE (noun)

Meaning: a large number of people of one Meaning: a lord or superior
particular group. Usage: Lieges of the olden days were notorious for
Usage: A legion of photographers and press men harassing their subjects.
waited at the airport for the celebrity's arrival.
728. LIMPID (adj)
716. LEGITIMATE (adj) Meaning: clear and transparent
Meaning: related to being lawful or legal Usage: His limpid style of writing, bereft of all the
Usage: It is absolutely legitimate for the courts to trappings of ornamentation, was comprehensible
deal firmly with terrorists. even to the lay man.
717. LENIENT (adj) 729. LITANY (noun)

Meaning: not as strict as expected when punishing Meaning: a long boring account of a series of
somebody or when making sure that rules are events, reasons etc.
obeyed. Usage: She listened patiently to the litany of
Usage: Although he was guilty of violating the complaints which the children made against each
traffic rule, the cops were lenient with him and let other.
him go without paying the fine.
730. LITERAL (adj)
718. LEST (conjunction) Meaning: taking words in their usual or primary
Meaning: in order to prevent something from sense without metaphor or allegory
happening Usage: Literal translations may sound very bland.
Usage: I caught hold of my brother’s hand lest he
should get lost in that crowd. 731. LITERATE (adj)
Meaning: able to read and write
719. LETHARGIC (adj) Usage: Kerala has the maximum number of
Meaning: lacking energy and enthusiasm. literates in India.
Usage: Sullen weather tends to make a person
dour and lethargic. 732. LITIGATION (noun)
Meaning: the process of making or defending a
720. LEVITY (noun) claim in a court of law.
Meaning: lack of serious thought; light- Usage: The litigation between the two parties,
heartedness which went on for nearly three years, finally ended
Usage: Such levity in religious matters may not in an amicable settlement.
endear you to many.
733. LOATHSOME (adj)
721. LEXICON (noun) Meaning: causing hatred or disgust
Meaning: dictionary Usage: It is loathsome to watch able-bodied young
Usage: You may find colloquial words in the men resorting to begging.
lexicon.
734. LODESTAR (noun)
722. LIAISE (verb) Meaning: a principle that guides somebody’s
Meaning: to form a link (with) behaviour or actions.
Usage: Civilians should liaise with the police and Usage: Expanding its business operations to
the army to combat terrorism. offshore markets is the company’s lodestar.
723. LIBEL (noun)

Meaning: character assassination 735. LOPSIDED (adj)
Usage: He filed a defamation suit against the Meaning: with one side lower or smaller than the
media, accusing it of libel. other.
Usage: The members of the opposition party accused
724. LIBERAL (adj) the government of adopting lopsided policies.
Meaning: open-minded, generous
Usage: A liberal pay package alone may not 736. LUCID (adj)
enhance productivity. Meaning: clear, sane, articulate.
Usage: Since the explanation was absolutely lucid
I think no one has any questions to ask.
737. LUCRE (noun) 749. MAIM (verb)
Meaning: money obtained through dishonest Meaning: to injure somebody seriously, causing
means. permanent damage to their body.
Usage: The venal politician gloated over his filthy Usage: It is grossly inhuman of the terrorist
lucre. organisation to maim innocent people in order to
promote their cause.
738. LUGUBRIOUS (adj)
Meaning: sad and dismal 750. MAINSPRING (noun)
Usage: A lugubrious atmosphere prevailed over Meaning: the most important part of something;
the city following the leader’s assassination. the most important influence on something.
Usage: Before the onset of industrialization,
739. LUMINARY (noun) agriculture was the mainspring of Indian economy.
Meaning: a person who inspires or influences
others 751. MAINSTREAM (adj)
Usage: Although he was a fledgeling artist his Meaning: the ideas and opinions that are thought
work was well appreciated by the leading to be normal because they are shared by most
luminaries of the art world. people.
Usage: The veteran politician announced his
740. LUNATIC (noun) retirement from mainstream politics.
Meaning: a person whose actions and manner are
marked by extreme eccentricity or recklessness. 752. MALADROIT (adj)
Usage: The lunatic troubled everyone in the Meaning: awkward
locality. Usage: The maladroit handling of the strike has
aggravated the company’s problems.
741. LUSTROUS (adj)
Meaning: shiny 753. MALAPROPISM (noun)
Usage: Her lustrous hair has been her crowning Meaning: incorrect usage of words
glory. Usage: One student wrote in his essay, “I have
been grown with a lot of fondness by my parents.”
742. MACHIAVELLIAN (adj) What malapropism!
Meaning: scheming
754. MALCONTENT (noun)
Usage: The Machiavellian politician is rumoured to
Meaning: a person who is dissatisfied and
have incited the mob.
rebellious
Usage: A band of malcontents was responsible for
743. MACHINATIONS (noun)
creating unrest in the country and destabilizing the
Meaning: secret and complicated plans, especially
government.
to gain power.
Usage: The machinations of the opposition led to 755. MALEVOLENCE (noun)
the ruling party’s miserable downfall. Meaning: wickedness
Usage: Milton’s ‘Satan’ is a personification of
744. MAGISTERIAL (adj) ‘malevolence’.
Meaning: having or showing power or authority.
Usage: The patriarch of the family spoke with 756. MALICIOUS (adj)
magisterial authority. Meaning: meaning or meant to do harm
Usage: The malicious man beat up the children
745. MAGNANIMOUS (adj) playing near his house.
Meaning: large-hearted and forgiving
Usage: Her magnanimous gesture of donating her 757. MALIGN (verb & adj)
entire earnings from the film, to charity received Meaning: slander, harmful
applause from the media. Usage: The Chief requested the press not to
malign his overworked police force.
746. MAGNATE (noun)
Meaning: a wealthy and influential person, esp. in 758. MALPRACTICE (noun)
business Meaning: wrong or illegal behaviour while in a
Usage: The business magnate bought all the professional job.
photographs displayed in the exhibition. Usage: The patient sued the staff of the hospital
for medical malpractice.
747. MAGNIFICENT (adj)
Meaning: extremely attractive and impressive 759. MAMMOTH (adj)
Usage: The audience appreciated the soprano’s Meaning: extremely large.
magnificent performance. Usage: It was no doubt a mammoth task but we
could depend on him as he was a man of alacrity
748. MAGNITUDE (noun) and acumen.
Meaning: great size or importance
Usage: A project of this magnitude needs careful 760. MANDATE (noun)
execution. Meaning: command, order, charge
Usage: The politician losing an election has to
accept the people’s mandate.
761. MANDATORY (adj) 774. MAWKISH (adj)
Meaning: required by rule or law Meaning: sentimental in an excessive way
Usage: If you have a PAN number then it is Usage: The poet has the dubious distinction of
mandatory to file your tax returns. composing mawkish poems.
762. MANGLE (verb) 775. MAYHEM (noun)

Meaning: to hack, tear, or crush into a misshapen Meaning: confusion and fear, usually caused by
state. violent behaviour or by some sudden shocking event.
Usage: The bodies of the accident victims were Usage: The Prime Minister’s assassination led to
mangled beyond recognition. the destabilisation of the government and mayhem
in the country.
763. MANHANDLE (verb)
Meaning: push or drag (someone) roughly 776. MEANDERING (adj)
Usage: The protestors claimed that they were Meaning: following a winding course.
manhandled by the police. Usage: The meandering river flowed through rivers
and valleys.
764. MANIFEST (verb)
Meaning: to show something clearly, especially, a
777. MEDDLE (verb)
feeling, an attitude or a quality
Meaning: interfere with something that is not one’s
Usage: Her anxiety was manifest in her nervous
concern.
movements.
Usage: It is not prudent to meddle with the
765. MANIPULATE (verb) personal affairs of others.
Meaning: control or influence in a clever or
underhand way 778. MEDIOCRE (adj)
Usage: The shrewd politician manipulated the Meaning: of only average or fairly low quality
facts to suit himself. Usage: The cricket team’s mediocre performance
in the recently concluded test series drew flak from
766. MANNERED (adj) cricket lovers across the country.
Meaning: (of a style of writing, acting etc) artificial
and affected. 779. MEEKNESS (noun)
Usage: Critics came down heavily on Peter Meaning: the quality of being gentle and mild.
Brinsley’s mannered prose style. Usage: People always take advantage of her
meekness and naivety.
767. MANOEUVRE (noun)
Meaning: a carefully planned scheme or action 780. MEGALOMANIA (noun)
Usage: In a crafty manoeuvre, the dissidents Meaning: the false belief that one has great power
managed to overthrow the ruling party. or importance.
Usage: The frequent tantrums thrown by most film
768. MARINER (noun) stars is a typical example of megalomania.
Meaning: a sailor
Usage: Coleridge’s ‘Ancient Mariner’ is a poem 781. MELANGE (noun)
about mariners lost in the sea.
Meaning: varied mixture
769. MAROON (verb) Usage: Despite being a melange of various
Meaning: abandon in a remote place. cultures our country stands united in its diversity.
Usage: When he regained consciousness, Sindbad
found himself marooned on a lonely island. 782. MELEE (noun)
Meaning: a confused fight
770. MARTINET (noun) Usage: Several people were injured in the melee
Meaning: a strict disciplinarian. triggered by communal disturbance and the police
Usage: Being a retired army officer, he is a bit of a opened teargas shells to bring the situation under
martinet. control.
771. MARVEL (verb) 783. MELLOW (adj)

Meaning: to feel astonishment Meaning: relaxed and good humoured.
Usage: I could not help marvelling at the beauty of Usage: When I met him last evening, I found him
nature. in a mellow mood engaged in friendly banter with
his friends.
772. MASQUERADE (verb)
Meaning: a pretence 784. MELODRAMATIC (adj)
Usage: The culprit who masqueraded as a Meaning: too dramatic or exaggerated
government official and tried to fool the gullible Usage: He conveyed the message with a
people was caught red-handed by the police. melodramatic flourish.
773. MAVERICK (noun) 785. MEMOIR (noun)

Meaning: an unconventional or independent-minded Meaning: an account written by a public figure of
person his/her life and experiences.
Usage: The maverick politician was not popular Usage: The memoirs of his early childhood make
with his partymen. for poignant reading.
786. MERCENARY (adj) 797. MISDEMEANOUR (noun)
Meaning: motivated chiefly by the desire to make Meaning: an action that is bad or unacceptable
money Usage: The management warned him that it would
Usage: The fact that his friends deserted him as not tolerate any type of misdemeanour, henceforth.
soon as he was bereft of all his wealth makes it
obvious that their interests in him were purely 798. MISHAP (noun)
mercenary. Meaning: accidental and unfortunate
Usage: The mishap could have been averted if the
787. MERCHANDISE (noun) authorities had been more alert.
Meaning: goods for sale
Usage: Shopkeepers display their merchandise in 799. MISLAY (verb)
an attractive manner in order to entice customers. Meaning: to put something somewhere and than
be unable to find it again, esp for only a short time.
788. MERCURIAL (adj) Usage: Having mislaid his spectacles he spent the
Meaning: often changing or reacting in a way that whole evening frantically searching for them.
is unexpected
Usage: None can get along with a person who has 800. MISSIVE (noun)
a mercurial temperament. Meaning: letter
Usage: The PM dashed off a missive to the
789. MESMERISED (verb) governor expressing his anguish about the law and
Meaning: spell bound order situation in the state.
Usage: The gymnast’s performance mesmerised the
audience. 801. MODICUM (noun)
Meaning: small quantity of something
790. METTLE (noun) Usage: Although diligence and perseverance are
Meaning: spirit and strength in the face of difficulty essential attributes of success, a modicum of luck
Usage: He is a man of great mettle and does not is also mandatory.
rest until he meets his goal.
802. MONOTONY (noun)
791. MIDDLING (adj) Meaning: repetitiveness
Meaning: second – rate, of average size, quality, Usage: The holiday at the hill resort was a well-
status etc deserved break from the monotony of every day
Usage: The audience who expected a spectacular life.
show were rather disappointed upon witnessing the
artist’s middling performance. 803. MONUMENTAL (adj)
Meaning: very large or impressive
792. MILIEU (noun) Usage: Entrusting such an important work to her
Meaning: a person’s social environment proved to be a monumental blunder.
Usage: The social milieu of ancient India was not
conducive to the education and emancipation of 804. MORASS (noun)
women. Meaning: a complicated situation
793. MINISTRATIONS (noun) Usage: We finally managed to free ourselves from
Meaning: the act of helping or caring for somebody, the morass of paper work and secured approval for
especially, when they are ill or in trouble. our project.
Usage: Her mother’s tender ministrations helped 805. MORATORIUM (noun)
her to overcome her depression and regain her Meaning: a temporary stopping of an activity
confidence.
Usage: The defence ministry has imposed a five
year moratorium on the sale and manufacture of
794. MINUSCULE (adj)
Meaning: extremely small nuclear weapons.
Usage: The size of the font was so minuscule that
I had to strain my eyes to read through the paper. 806. MORDANT (adj)
Meaning: sharply sarcastic
795. MIRTHFUL (adj) Usage: The novelist’s sense of humour, albeit
Meaning: in high spirits mordant, was very appealing to his readers.
Usage: A mirthful atmosphere prevailed across the
kingdom on the occasion of the prince’s 807. MORES (noun)
coronation. Meaning: customs and conventions of community
Usage: Many of the social mores of the past are
796. MISAPPREHENSION (noun) now moribund.
Meaning: a mistaken belief 808. MORIBUND (adj)
Usage: Some people still seem to be under the Meaning: at the point of death, losing
misapprehension that the role of a woman is effectiveness and about to end.
confined to the kitchen. Usage: With young men and women insisting on
choosing their life partners themselves, the concept of
arranged marriages would soon become moribund.
6
809. MORTIFIED (verb) 823. NEFARIOUS (adj)
Meaning: feel extremely offended or embarrassed. Meaning: wicked or criminal
Usage: I was greatly mortified by his slighting Usage: The dubious politician was expelled from
remarks. the party for indulging in nefarious activities.
810. MOTTLED (adj) 824. NEGATE (verb)

Meaning: marked with patches of a different colour. Meaning: cancel out, deny
Usage: While a majority of plants have green Usage: The opposition feels that its stand has
leaves some crotons have mottled leaves and are been vindicated while the ruling party’s stance
used exclusively for ornamental purposes. stands negated.
811. MULL (verb) 825. NEPOTISM (noun)
Meaning: to cogitate, turn over in the mind. Meaning: undue favouritism to one's relations and
Usage: He mulled over the idea for a long time and close friends.
finally took a decision. Usage: Nepotism is not uncommon in the political
812. MULTIFARIOUS (adj) and bureaucratic circles of India.
Meaning: having great variety.
Usage: India is a land of multifarious traditions and 826. NICETY (noun)
languages. Meaning: the small details or points of difference,
especially concerning the correct way of behaving
813. MUNIFICENCE (noun) or doing things.
Meaning: extreme generosity Usage: Being born and bred in a village, she was
Usage: The large donation which he made spoke not aware of the social niceties of high society life
of the philanthropist’s munificence. in a city.
814. MURKY (adj) 827. NIGGLE (verb)

Meaning: dark and gloomy Meaning: criticize in a petty way
Usage: The murky weather has a depressing Usage: The couple had the habit of constantly
effect on one’s mood. niggling at each other which led to incompatibility
between them.
815. MUSTY (adj)
Meaning: having a stale or mouldy smell or taste. 828. NIHILISM (noun)
Usage: The garage which was full of piles of junk, Meaning: the belief that nothing has any value,
reeked with a musty odour. especially religious and moral principles
Usage: The book titled, ‘The Vision of the Future’
816. MUTED (adj)
glorifies nihilism.
Meaning: muffled sound.
Usage: Except for the muted sounds of hooting of
829. NIRVANA (noun)
the owls at a distance, the night was still and eerie.
Meaning: perfect bliss and release from karma,
817. MUTILATE (verb) attained by the extinction of individuality.
Meaning: cause a serious damage to (something) Usage: According to the scriptures, one can
Usage: The riders went berserk and mutilated the achieve a state of nirvana through detachment and
idols in the temple. dedication to one’s duty.
818. MUTINOUS (adj) 830. NOISOME (adj)

Meaning: rebellious Meaning: very unpleasant
Usage: The mutinous troops stormed the fortress Usage: The convicts were confined in a noisome
and opened fire. dungeon.
819. NADIR (noun) 831. NON-COMMITTAL (adj)

Meaning: the worst moment of a particular situation Meaning: showing what one thinks or which side
Usage: His involvement in the scam and one supports
consequent resignation was the nadir of his career. Usage: When journalists questioned him about the
outcome of the negotiations, the minister remained
820. NAÏVE (adj)
non-committal.
Meaning: lacking experience, wisdom or judgement
Usage: Although he was very naive when he first
832. NONCHALANT (adj)
started the business, he is now a stalwart.
Meaning: calm, relaxed
821. NARCISSIST (noun) Usage: Despite the trying circumstances he
Meaning: self-admiring person appeared nonchalant.
Usage: The super star has become a narcissist – a
victim of his own past glory. 833. NONDESCRIPT (adj)
Meaning: having no interesting or unusual features
822. NASCENT (adj) or qualities
Meaning: just coming into existence and beginning Usage: The young lad who belonged to a
to develop nondescript village, in a remote corner of the
Usage: Nanotechnology is still in its nascent country, eventually achieved immense success
stages in many countries across the world.
834. NONPLUSSED (adj) 846. OBSOLESCENT (adj)
Meaning: surprised and confused as to how to Meaning: becoming obsolete
react Usage: The prediction that the printed word would
Usage: The new teacher was nonplussed when she become obsolescent with the advent of computers
was accorded a rude welcome by the students. eventually turned out to be false.
835. NOTIONAL (adj) 847. OBSTINATE (adj)

Meaning: based on a guess, estimate or theory; Meaning: not easily subdued or remedied.
not existing in reality. Usage: Her friends were piqued by her obstinate
Usage: The figures published in the newspapers refusal to change her decision.
were only notional, since the actual figures could
not be obtained. 848. ODDITY (noun)
Meaning: a strange person or thing.
836. NOVITIATE (noun) Usage: He looked like an oddity in his bizarre outfit
Meaning: the period or state of being a novice esp. and weird hairdo.
in a religious order.
Usage: After graduating in theological studies, he 849. ODDMENTS (pl noun)
underwent a two-year novitiate and was inducted Meaning: something remaining over
as a priest. Usage: Her house is cluttered with oddments
837. NUANCE (noun) which she is unwilling to part with.
Meaning: a very slight difference in meaning,
expression, sound etc. 850. ODIOUS (adj)
Usage: Despite watching her face intently to catch Meaning: extremely unpleasant
every nuance of expression, I could not discern her Usage: He is such an odious person that people
inner feelings. detest his company.
838. NUGATORY (adj) 851. ODYSSEY (noun)

Meaning: of no value Meaning: a long eventful journey.
Usage: The shares that she thought would fetch Usage: The writer has recorded the details of his
her a lot of money proved to be nugatory. innumerable odyssies in his travelogue.
839. OAFISH (adj) 852. OFFBEAT (adj)
Meaning: uncouth, unpleasant, stupid behaviour Meaning: different from what most people expect.
Usage: She dotes on her son so much that he has
Usage: He is a man with offbeat taste and style.
become an oafish idiot.
840. OBDURATE (adj) 853. OMNIPOTENT (adj)

Meaning: stubbornly refusing to change one’s mind Meaning: all-powerful.
Usage: He was so obdurate that all my attempts to Usage: God is omnipotent.
make him see reason proved futile.
854. ONEROUS (adj)
841. OBFUSCATE Meaning: involving much effort and difficulty
Meaning: to muddle or confuse Usage: The onerous task of nurturing his younger
Usage: The defence lawyer made a deliberate siblings fell on his tender shoulders after his
attempt to obfuscate facts. father’s death.
842. OBLIGATE (verb) 855. ONSLAUGHT (noun)

Meaning: be obliged to do something. Meaning: a fierce or defensive attack
Usage: The new rule obligates the organization to Usage: The armed forces are pretty well-equipped
be more transparent in its dealings.
to defend the country against an enemy onslaught.
843. OBLITERATE (verb)
Meaning: destroy completely 856. ONUS (noun)
Usage: Several villages were obliterated by the Meaning: responsibility
flash floods. Usage: The onus of looking after the safety and
security of the employees rests with the employer.
844. OBLIVION (noun)
Meaning: a state in which you are not aware of 857. OPERATIONAL (adj)
what is happening around you, usually because Meaning: ready to be used.
you are unconscious or asleep. Usage: The Prime Minister laid the foundation
Usage: He often sought solace for his innumerable stone for a new airport in the city which would be
worries by drinking himself to oblivion. operational by the end of next year.
845. OBNOXIOUS (adj) 858. OPIATE (noun)

Meaning: very unpleasant Meaning: a drug containing opium
Usage: His obnoxious behaviour attracted a lot of Usage: In the past, opiate was administered in
criticism. order to mitigate excruciating pain.
859. OPINE (verb) 872. OVATION (noun)
Meaning: to express an opinion. Meaning: long, enthusiastic round of applause
Usage: Most doctors opine that physical exercise Usage: The standing ovation given by the
and a wholesome diet can prevent people from audience testifies to the soprano’s exquisite
falling prey to stress related ailments. performance.
860. OPPORTUNE (adj) 873. OVERHAUL (verb)
Meaning: done or occurring at an especially Meaning: examine and repair
convenient or appropriate time Usage: The car, which was partly damaged in the
Usage: The soldiers were waiting for the accident, was overhauled at the workshop.
opportune moment to strike back at the enemy.
874. OVERINDULGENCE (noun)
861. OPPRESSIVE (adv)
Meaning: excessive indulgence.
Meaning: causing distress or anxiety
Usage: He was advised to avoid overindulgence in
Usage: The students resented the warden’s
food and drink.
oppressive rules.
862. OPULENCE (noun) 875. OVERRIDING (adj)
Meaning: luxury and grandeur Meaning: more important than anything else in a
Usage: The spectators were awestruck by the particular situation.
opulence and grandeur of the Versailles palace. Usage: Extirpating terrorism from the country is a
matter of overriding concern for the government at
863. ORCHESTRATE (verb) this juncture.
Meaning: direct (a situation) to produce a desired
effect. 876. OVERRUN (verb)
Usage: The rebellion was orchestrated by a group Meaning: spread over or occupy in large numbers.
of mavericks. Usage: The fort was overrun by enemy troops.
864. OSTENSIBLE (adj) 877. OVERSIGHT (noun)

Meaning: apparent Meaning: an unintentional failure to notice or do
Usage: The ostensible reason for the increase in something.
crime is poverty but the police chief feels that there Usage: Bill was embarrassed by his glaring
could be other reasons too. oversight and profusely apologized for it.
865. OSTRACIZE (verb) 878. OVERTURES (noun)

Meaning: exclude from a society or group Meaning: approaches made with the aim of
Usage: The bigots of his community ostracized opening negotiations or establishing a relationship
him for getting married to a girl belonging to a Usage: Since she knew his real nature she did not
different religion. fall prey to his charms and ignored all his friendly
overtures.
866. OUTCRY (noun)
Meaning: a reaction of anger or strong protest 879. OVERWROUGHT (adj)
shown by people in public. Meaning: in an overemotional state, with highly
Usage: The unprecedented rise in prices provoked strained nerves.
a public outcry. Usage: As the countdown for the d-day began, the
organisers of the event became overwrought and
867. OUTLANDISH (adj) apprehensive.
Meaning: strange or unfamiliar
Usage: His outlandish clothes made him the object 880. PACIFIC (adj)
of ridicule at the party. Meaning: peace-loving
Usage: His pacific nature prevented him from
868. OUTLAW (verb) getting involved in the brawl.
Meaning: make illegal.
Usage: Smoking in public has been outlawed in 881. PACT (noun)
many countries. Meaning: something which is agreed on, an
agreement esp. not legally enforceable.
869. OUTLAY (noun) Usage: The extremist organisation made a peace
Meaning: an amount of money spent pact with the government.
Usage: The project, which was started on a large
scale, required a huge financial outlay. 882. PADDOCK (noun)
Meaning: a small field or enclosure for horses.
870. OUTMODED (adj) Usage: The farmer kept a fine breed of horses in
Meaning: no longer fashionable or useful the paddock behind his house.
Usage: With the advent of computers, typewriters
have become outmoded. 883. PAGEANTRY (noun)
871. OUTSET (noun) Meaning: elaborate or sumptuous show or display.
Meaning: from the beginning Usage: The audience watched spell bound, the
Usage: I made it clear to them at the very outset rare pageantry displayed by the Air Force cadets at
that negligence will not be tolerated. the recent air show.
884. PALLID (adj) 897. PATRIOTIC (adj)
Meaning: pale, especially because of poor health Meaning: having love for one’s country
Usage: Although she has recovered from her Usage: Mahatma Gandhi’s inspiring speeches
illness, she still looks weak and pallid. roused the patriotic spirit of several Indians.
885. PALMY (adj) 898. PATRONIZING (adj)

Meaning: comfortable and prosperous Meaning: showing that you are more intelligent
Usage: People were happier during the palmy than somebody else.
days of yore because the stress and strain of Usage: People distance themselves away from
modern life was unknown to them. him because they resented his patronizing behaviour.
886. PANACEA (noun) 899. PECUNIARY (adj)

Meaning: cure-all Meaning: having to do with money
Usage: It is rightly said that music is the panacea Usage: Constrained by pecuniary difficulties, he
for all ailments. was forced to discontinue his studies.
887. PANDEMIC (adj) 900. PEDESTRIAN (adj)

Meaning: prevalent over a whole country or the Meaning: dull and boring
world Usage: The programme, which started with a lot of
Usage: Doctors are trying to ensure that bird flu promise, turned out to be a pedestrian affair.
does not become pandemic.
901. PEEVISH (adj)
888. PANDEMONIUM (noun) Meaning: irritable
Meaning: chaos Usage: Lack of proper sleep tends to make a
Usage: Pandemonium prevailed in the house person dull and peevish.
when the opposition leader insulted a ruling party
member. 902. PENCHANT (noun)
Meaning: a strong liking
889. PANTOMIME (noun) Usage: She has a penchant for dressing up in
Meaning: acting that is unaccompanied by words trendy clothes.
Usage: The undisputed king of pantomime.
903. PENITENT (adj)
890. PARABLE (noun) Meaning: feeling sorrow and regret for having
Meaning: a simple story used to illustrate a moral done wrong
or spiritual lesson. Usage: The young man was penitent of his mistakes
Usage: Narrating parables is an interesting way of and resolved to tread the path of righteousness.
inculcating moral values in children.
904. PENSIVE (adj)
891. PARIAH (noun) Meaning: expressing deep thoughtfulness, often
Meaning: a social outcast. with some sadness
Usage: He was treated like a pariah by his Usage: He sat beside the lake in a pensive mood,
neighbours because of his involvement in criminal cogitating about life.
activities.
905. PENURIOUS (adj)
892. PARITY (noun) Meaning: extremely poor
Meaning: the state of being equal or equivalent. Usage: Although he was born into a wealthy family
Usage: Women labourers demanded wage parity he is now leading a penurious life thanks to his
with their male counterparts. prodigal habits.
906. PERENNIAL (adj & noun)
893. PAROCHIAL (adj) Meaning: happening again and again; something
Meaning: having a narrow outlook or range which is there for a very long time
Usage: He felt out of place among the parochial Usage: My mother has been a perennial source of
and clannish members of the community. inspiration for me.
907. PERFIDIOUS (adj)

894. PARSIMONIOUS (adj) Meaning: that which cannot be trusted
Meaning: extremely unwilling to spend money Usage: The turncoat politician was expelled by his
Usage: Despite amassing a lot of wealth, he leads party’s leadership for his perfidious act.
a parsimonious existence.
908. PERFUNCTORY (adj)
895. PASTY (adj) Meaning: carried out with a minimum effort or thought
Meaning: pale and unhealthy-looking. Usage: His work, which is perfunctory and slipshod
Usage: The long bout of illness has left her pasty does not comply with the expected standards.
and debilitated.
909. PERPETUATE (verb)
Meaning: to make something such as a bad
896. PATRICIAN (adj & noun)
situation, a belief etc continue for a long time.
Meaning: aristocratic
Usage: Films and television, to a large extent, are
Usage: People were taken aback by his patrician
responsible for perpetuating violence among youth.
arrogance.
910. PERSPECTIVE (noun) 922. PITFALL (noun)
Meaning: viewpoint, outlook Meaning: a hidden danger or difficulty.
Usage: He came out with a strange perspective Usage: Although he was not against the idea of
about the issue. accepting the foreign assignment, he was
apprehensive of the pitfalls involved in it.
911. PERTNESS (noun)
Meaning: cheekiness 923. PITTANCE (noun)
Usage: We were greatly appalled by the young Meaning: very small or inadequate amount of money.
lady's pertness. Usage: Due to recession and unemployment in the
country even highly qualified people are forced to
912. PERVASIVE (adj) work for a pittance.
Meaning: spreading widely through or present 924. PIVOTAL (adj)
every where in something. Meaning: crucially important.
Usage: Movies have a pervasive influence on Usage: Agriculture plays a pivotal role in the Indian
adolescent behaviour. economy.
913. PETRIFIED (adj) 925. PLACATE (verb)

Meaning: paralysed with fear Meaning: pacify
Usage: We were petrified on seeing the ghastly Usage: The husband tried to placate his angry wife
road accident. with a bouquet.
914. PETULANT (adj) 926. PLACID (adj)

Meaning: Bad-tempered and unreasonable, Meaning: not easily excited or irritated
especially because you cannot do or have what Usage: She is, by nature, a placid person who
you want. seldom gets perturbed.
Usage: Age and ill health have made him senile
and petulant. 927. PLAINTIVE (adj)
Meaning: sounding sad and mournful
915. PHILANTHROPIC (adj) Usage: His voice sounded plaintive when he recalled
Meaning: related to the practice of helping the nostalgically the pleasant memories of the past.
poor, especially by giving them money
Usage: His philanthropic nature earned him a lot of 928. PLAUSIBLE (adj)
respect and love from the poor and the needy. Meaning: seeming reasonable or probable
Usage: The excuse which he gave for shirking
916. PHLEGMATIC (adj) away from the work given to him, did not sound
Meaning: calm and unemotional very plausible to me.
Usage: Being a man with a phlegmatic
temperament, people resent his company. 929. PLEASANTRY (noun)
Meaning: an unimportant remark made as part of
917. PHONEY (adj) a polite conversation.
Meaning: A person or thing that is not genuine Usage: After the initial pleasantries, he came to
Usage: It was not difficult for me to make out that the actual point of discussion.
the excuse given by him was phoney.
930. PLEBEIAN (adj)
Meaning: lacking refinement
918. PHOTOGRAPHIC (adj)
Usage: His plebeian tastes were heckled by the
Meaning: accurate and in great detail snobs of the club.
Usage: He is blessed with such a photographic
memory that he can vividly, recall events which 931. PLENARY (adj)
took place several decades ago. Meaning: entire or absolute
Usage: The Supreme Court has plenary powers to
919. PINCHED (adj) revoke a law.
Meaning: (of a person’s face) pale and thin, 932. PLUMB (verb)
especially because of illness, cold or worry. Meaning: try to understand or succeed in
Usage: Although she recovered fully from her understanding something mysterious.
illness she still has a pinched look on her face Usage: The celebrity’s enigmatic life attracted the
attention of biographers who tried to plumb the
920. PIONEER (noun) mysteries of life.
Meaning: a person who develops new ideas or
techniques. 933. PLUMMET (verb)
Usage: The American scientists who were the Meaning: fall straight down at high speed.
pioneers of robotic technology won the admiration Usage: Share prices have plummeted to an all
of the scientific community. time low in the past three months.
934. PLUTOCRAT (noun)
921. PIQUANT (adj)
Meaning: a person who is powerful because of his
Meaning: stimulating to the mind
wealth.
Usage: The piquant story line of the movie kept the
Usage: The officials fell prey to the bribe offered by
audience glued to their seats.
plutocrats.
935. POISE (noun) 948. PRECARIOUS (adj)
Meaning: a calm and confident manner Meaning: not safe or certain
Usage: Few people can match the poise and grace Usage: He cannot afford to be extravagant due to
of the veteran actress. his precarious financial position.
936. POLARITY (noun) 949. PRECINCT (noun)
Meaning: the situation when two tendencies, Meaning: the area around a place or building,
opinions etc oppose each other. often enclosed by a wall.
Usage: The polarity between the two wings of the Usage: Women are not allowed to enter the
ruling party led to its destabilization. precincts of the temple at Sabarimala.
937. POLYMATH (noun)
Meaning: a person with a wide knowledge of many 950. PRECLUDE (verb)
subjects. Meaning: prevent
Usage: He was a polymath who commanded a lot Usage: People’s discomfort precludes many
of respect on account of his exhaustive knowledge. women from joining the police or armed forces.
938. PONDER (verb) 951. PRECOCIOUS (adj)

Meaning: consider carefully Meaning: intelligent
Usage: He pondered over ther issue for a while Usage: The precocious child won all the chess
before expressing his opinion. tournaments.
939. POPULOUS (adj) 952. PREDICATE (verb)

Meaning: where a large number of people live. Meaning: to base something on a particular belief,
Usage: India is the second most populous country idea or principle.
in the world. Usage: The progress of a nation is predicated on
its economic success.
940. PORTENT (noun)
Meaning: a sign or warning that something 953. PREDISPOSITION (noun)
(important or unpleasant) is likely to happen. Meaning: a condition that makes somebody or
Usage: The failure of monsoon this year is a something likely to behave in a particular way or to
portent of the impending drought. suffer from a particular disease.
Usage: People who are obese have a
941. POSIT (verb) predisposition to heart ailments.
Meaning: put forward as a fact or as a basis for
argument 954. PREEN (verb)
Usage: Several psychologists have posited that rote Meaning: to make oneself look attractive and then
learning stultifies a child’s creative abilities. admire one’s appearance.
Usage: The teenager spent a lot of time preening
942. POSTERITY (noun) herself in front of the mirror, much to the chagrin of
Meaning: all succeeding generations. her mother.
Usage: These rare works of art which symbolize
955. PRELUDE (noun)
our country’s cultural heritage should be preserved
Meaning: an action or event that happens before
for posterity.
another important one.
943. POTABLE (adj) Usage: The quirky weather conditions which we
Meaning: safe to drink are now witnessing today, are a prelude to the
Usage: There is an acute shortage of potable more dangerous consequences of global warming
water in many cities in India. which we are likely to face in the future.
944. POTENT (adj) 956. PREORDAIN (verb)

Meaning: strong Meaning: decided or determined beforehand.
Usage: Quinine is a potent antidote for malaria. Usage: Stoics believe that the trials and
tribulations which man has to endure during the
945. POTENTATE (noun) course of his life are preordained.
Meaning: a ruler who has a lot of power, esp.
when this is not restricted by a parliament etc. 957. PREROGATIVE (noun)
Usage: People eventually rebelled against the Meaning: privilege
potentate’s tyrannical rule. Usage: Many people feel that it should be the
captain’s prerogative to choose his team members.
946. PRE-EMPT (verb)
Meaning: take action so as to prevent (something) 958. PRESAGE (verb)
happening. Meaning: be a sign or warning of
Usage: You can pre-empt an attack of a flu by Usage: In the past, people believed that the
taking an anti-pyretic drug at the first warning sign. hooting of an owl presaged death.
947. PREAMBLE (noun) 959. PRESCIENT (adj)

Meaning: an introduction, an opening statement. Meaning: prophetic
Usage: She conveyed the message without a Usage: Nobody paid heed to his prescient
preamble. warnings.
960. PREVAIL (verb) 973. PROPENSITY (noun)
Meaning: triumph Meaning: a tendency to behave in a certain way
Usage: The conditions prevailing in the slums Usage: His peripatetic existence is a result of his
horrified us. propensity for travel.
961. PRIGGISH (adj) 974. PROPHECY (noun)

Meaning: a person is considered priggish if he Meaning: a prediction about what will happen
behaves as if he is superior to others. Usage: The prophecies of Nostradamus are said
Usage: The fun loving young girls of the hostel to be coming true one by one.
considered the warden’s behaviour to be priggish.
962. PRIMEVAL (adj) 975. PROPULSION (noun)
Meaning: relating to the earliest times in history Meaning: the action of propelling or driving
Usage: Primeval society showed respect for forward.
nature. Usage: Most water birds use their tail feathers for
propulsion.
963. PRISTINE (adj)
Meaning: immaculate 976. PROSCRIBE (verb)
Usage: I wish the pristine purity of our rivers could Meaning: ban
be restored some how. Usage: The doctor proscribed sweets for the
diabetic.
964. PROBE (noun & verb)
Meaning: an investigation 977. PROTAGONIST (noun)
Usage: The Minister ordered a judicial probe into Meaning: character
the incident. Usage: The protagonist in the play is a versatile
actor.
965. PROBITY (noun)
Meaning: honesty and decency 978. PROTEAN (adj)
Usage: He is an extremely trustworthy person, I Meaning: able to change or adapt
can vouch for his probity. Usage: The protean landscape transforms itself
with the seasons.
966. PROCLIVITY (noun)
Meaning: a natural tendency to do something or to 979. PROTOCOL (noun)
feel something, often something bad Meaning: procedure
Usage: His criminal proclivities are perhaps Usage: The protocol demands that a visiting
inherited. dignitary be received by a senior officer.
980. PROTOTYPE (noun)

967. PRODIGAL (adj) Meaning: first or earlier form from which other
Meaning: using money or resources in a wasteful forms are developed or copied.
way Usage: The prototype of the radar will be displayed
Usage: His prodigal habits eventually left his family for the benefit of research students
bankrupt.
981. PROTRACTED (adj)
968. PROFANE (adj) Meaning: draw out
Meaning: blasphemous Usage: After a protracted discussion the team
Usage: His profane language horrified the finally solved the problem.
believers.
982. PROTRACTED (adj)
969. PROFUSE (adj) Meaning: lasting longer than expected or longer
Meaning: plentiful than usual
Usage: The injured man was bleeding profusely Usage: He expired last week after being bedridden
while the driver was making profuse apologies to for six months due to a protracted illness.
all the onlookers.
983. PROVENANCE (noun)
970. PROGENY (noun) Meaning: the origin or earliest known history of
Meaning: offspring something.
Usage: The proud father exclaimed, “To have such Usage: Some of the antique artefacts in the
a gifted progeny, who is a good poet as well as a mansion are of Italian provenance.
prolific story writer, is indeed a blessing!”
984. PROVOCATION (noun)
971. PROLIFIC (adj) Meaning: aggravation
Meaning: productive, abundant Usage: There was no provocation for her rude
Usage: He is a prolific wiriter who, on an average, behaviour.
writes about 100 stories in a year.
985. PROWESS (noun)
972. PROLIX (adj) Meaning: skill or expertise in a particular activity
Meaning: tiresomely wordy and dull Usage: Although he is extremely intelligent he
Usage: The orator’s prolix speech had a soporific seldom boasts about his intellectual prowess.
effect on the listeners.
986. PROXY (noun) 998. QUELL (verb)
Meaning: a person authorized to act on behalf of Meaning: put an end to
another. Usage: The agitation was quelled by the timely
Usage: The Chief Minister who was supposed to action taken by the government.
be the Chief Guest sent one of his cabinet
colleagues as his proxy to attend the function. 999. QUERULOUS (adj)
Meaning: argumentative
987. PSEUDONYM (noun)
Usage: The querulous journalist kept on
Meaning: false name, especially one used by an
author bombarding his objections to the new scheme
Usage: Mary Ann Evans wrote under the during the press conference.
pseudonym, George Eliot.
1000. QUEST (noun)
988. PUERILE (adj) Meaning: a long or difficult search
Meaning: childishly silly Usage: Gautama Buddha renounced his princely
Usage: It did not take much time for me to discern life and embraced asceticism in his quest for truth.
that the excuse given by him was a puerile and
evasive one. 1001. QUINTESSENCE (noun)
Meaning: the perfect or most typical example
989. PUMMEL (verb) Usage: The manor house was a quintessence of
Meaning: strike repeatedly with the fists. Victorian elegance.
Usage: He caught hold of the thief and
pummelled him severely before handing him over 1002. QUIRK (noun)
to the police. Meaning: an aspect of somebody's personality or
behaviour that is a little strange.
990. PURPORT (verb) Usage: Observing people, with all their quirks and
Meaning: appear to be or do, especially falsely. foibles, was his favourite past time.
Usage: The book purports to reveal the whole
truth. 1003. QUIXOTIC (adj)
Meaning: high minded and unselfish to an
991. PURVEY (verb) impractical extent.
Meaning: provide or supply (food or drink) as Usage: The idea of interlinking all the rivers in the
one’s business country is rather quixotic.
Usage: He began his career by purveying sundry
items on the pavement and eventually grew to 1004. RABID (adj)
become a business tycoon.
Meaning: having very strong feelings about
something and acting in an unacceptable way.
992. PUSILLANIMITY (noun)
Meaning: lacking courage Usage: Rabid fanatics belonging to two religious
Usage: Mahatma Gandhi’s advocacy of non- groups indulged in arson, damaging a lot of public
violence was misconceived by the extremists as property in the process.
pusillanimity.
1005. RAMIFICATION (noun)
993. QUAINT (adj) Meaning: complex results of an action or event.
Meaning: attractively unused or old fashioned Usage: It is predicted that the centre's decision
Usage: Although the cottage was old-fashioned it would have widespread social ramifications.
had a quaint and alluring charm.
1006. RAMPAGE (noun)
994. QUARANTINE (verb & noun)
Meaning: a period of wild and violent behaviour
Meaning: isolation imposed on those who have
Usage: The mob went on a rampage and
been exposed to an infectious disease.
destroyed public property.
Usage: The foreigners who are suspected to be
carrying the ‘bird flu’ virus were quarantined at the
1007. RANCID (adj)
airport itself.
Meaning: tasting or smelling unpleasant
995. QUAVER (verb) Usage: The rancid odour emanating from the dish
Meaning: tremble was nauseating.
Usage: Her voice quavered with emotion when
she read out the farewell message. 1008. RANKLE (verb)
Meaning: cause continuing annoyance or
996. QUEASY (adj) resentment.
Meaning: feeling nauseous Usage: His disparaging remarks rankled with her.
Usage: She felt queasy after taking a ride on the
roller coaster. 1009. RANT (noun)
Meaning: speak in a loud, angry and forceful way.
997. QUEER (adj) Usage: He launched into a rant against the
Meaning: strange or unusual swindler who had duped him.
Usage: Queer customs and rituals are still
prevalent in tribal societies.
1010. RAPACIOUS (adj) 1023. RECEPTACLE (noun)
Meaning: avaricious, very greedy Meaning: an object or space to contain
Usage: The rapacious money lender charged a something
heavy interest on the money he lent to the poor Usage: The terrorists were found using suitcases
and illiterate villagers. as bomb receptacles.
1011. RAPPORT (noun) 1024. RECEPTIVE (adj)
Meaning: relationship Meaning: willing to listen to or to accept new
Usage: He has an excellent rapport with his boss. ideas and suggestions
1012. RAPT (adj) Usage: The receptive audience encouraged him
Meaning: completely interested or absorbed in to speak at length on his new discovery.
someone or something.
Usage: His audience listened to him with rapt 1025. RECESSION (adj)
attention. Meaning: a time period when economic
movement is exceptionally slow.
1013. RAPTUROUS (adj) Usage: People were forced to tighten their purse
Meaning: feeling or expressing great pleasure or strings when the country was going through
enthusiasm recession.
Usage: His family and friends gave him a
rapturous welcome when he returned to his 1026. RECLUSIVE (adj)
motherland after several years of staying abroad. Meaning: isolated
Usage: His reclusive nature is mistaken by many
1014. RARING (adj) for arrogance.
Meaning: full of enthusiasm and a sense of urgency.
Usage: She is all rejuvenated and raring to get 1027. RECONNAISSANCE (noun)
back to work after a long holiday. Meaning: the activity of getting information about
an area for military purposes, using soldiers,
1015. RAVAGED (verb) planes etc.
Meaning: badly damaged Usage: Some aircraft were used exclusively for
Usage: Several maritime cities and towns were reconaissance operations.
ravaged by the tsunami which occurred in the
year 2004. 1028. RECOURSE (noun)
Meaning: possible course of action
1016. RAVINGS (noun) Usage: Corporal punishment should be resorted
Meaning: wild talk that makes no sense. to as a last recourse, while disciplining children.
Usage: They dismissed his utterances as the
lunatic ravings of a senile old man. 1029. RECRIMINATION (noun)
Meaning: an accusation in response to one from
1017. RAZE (verb) someone else
Meaning: to completely destroy a building town, Usage: Constant squabbles and mutual
etc. so that nothing is left. recrimination between parents can have a
Usage: Several houses were razed to the ground detrimental effect on a child’s psychology.
by the devastating earthquake.
1030. RECTITUDE (noun)
1018. REBUFF (verb) Meaning: righteousness
Meaning: reject in an abrupt or unkind way Usage: He has a sense of moral rectitude and
Usage: He felt humiliated when his proposal was hence I feel he is a rare species in these
rebuffed by the members of the committee. dishonest times.
1019. REBUT (verb)
Meaning: claim or prove to be false 1031. RECUPERATING (adj)
Usage: The bureaucrat categorically rebutted his Meaning: recovering from illness or tiredness
involvement in the scam. Usage: The climate of the hill station is ideal for
convalescents recuperating from an illness.
1020. RECALCITRANT (adj)
Meaning: obstinately disobedient 1032. REDOLENT (adj)
Usage: Psychologists aver that a recalcitrant Meaning: strongly suggestive of
attitude among most teenagers is nothing abnormal. Usage: The rustic surroundings which were
redolent of the quaint charm of his native village,
1021. RECANT (verb) stirred nostalgic memories in him.
Meaning: withdraw a former opinion or belief.
Usage: When his disparaging statements were 1033. REDOUND (verb)
met with loud protests from some sections of Meaning: contribute greatly to (a person's credit)
society, the leader was forced to recant. Usage: His excellent oratory skills might redound
to his advantage.
1022. RECEDE (verb)
Meaning: to move further away into the distance. 1034. REDUNDANT (adj)
Usage: The flood waters having receded, Meaning: superfluous
essential services have been resumed in most Usage: The deputy chief’s post is very soon going
parts of the city. to become redundant.
1035. REFUTE (verb) 1047. REMONSTRATE (verb)
Meaning: prove to be wrong Meaning: make a strongly critical protest.
Usage: He refuted the accusations levelled Usage: Students remonstrated against the
against him by proving his innocence. college management for hiking the tution fee.
1036. REGAL (adj) 1048. REMUNERATIVE (adj)

Meaning: having to do or fit for a monarch, Meaning: paying a lot of money
especially in being magnificent or dignified. Usage: He relocated to Mumbai recently, when
Usage: The tourists were thoroughly amazed to he secured a more remunerative job.
see the exquisite grandeur of the palace in all its
regal splendour. 1049. REND (verb)
Meaning: tear to pieces
1037. REGIME (noun) Usage: Anti-reservation slogans rent the air when
Meaning: government, routine the Prime Minister visited the city.
Usage: The Nazi regime committed innumerable 1050. RENDEZVOUS (noun)
atrocities. Meaning: a meeting at an agreed time and place
Usage: We will decide the course of action during
1038. REGRESS (verb) our rendezvous this evening.
Meaning: return to an earlier or less advanced
state. 1051. RENDITION (noun)
Usage: The teenager's regressing to childish Meaning: a performance or version of a dramatic
behaviour could probably be due to an underlying or musical work.
psychological problem. Usage: The artist’s rendition of Thyagraja’s
devotional songs had the audience spell-bound.
1039. REITERATE (verb)
Meaning: say again or repeatedly 1052. RENEGADE (noun)
Usage: The Minister reiterated that he was Meaning: person who deserts and betrays an
innocent and categorically denied his involvement organization, country or set of principles
in the scandal. Usage: The renegade was ostracized from the
community for his perfidious act.
1040. REJOINDER (noun)
Meaning: quick or witty reply 1053. REPEAL (verb)
Usage: He expressed his disapproval with a curt Meaning: officially cancel (a law or act of
rejoinder. parliament)
Usage: The government was forced to repeal the
1041. REJUVENATE (verb) rent control act owing to wide protests from all
Meaning: make (someone or something) look quarters.
younger or more lively
Usage: The commander’s exhortation 1054. REPLENISH (verb)
rejuvenated the sagging morale of the soldiers. Meaning: refill
Usage: Please replenish the stock immediately.
1042. RELAPSE (verb)
Meaning: fall back into a previous state 1055. REPREHENSIBLE (adj)
Usage: The patient relapsed into coma yet again. Meaning: wrong or bad and deserving
condemnation.
1043. RELENT (verb) Usage: According to the law even those guilty of
Meaning: finally agree to something after refusing abetting a crime are morally reprehensible.
to do so initially.
Usage: Despite all the blandishments we 1056. REPRIMAND (verb)
showered on him he did not relent from his Meaning: to reprove severely
obstinate stance. Usage: He was reprimanded by his superiors for
failing to execute the task assigned to him.
1044. RELENTLESS (adj)
1057. REPRISAL (adj)
Meaning: never stopping or weakening
Meaning: an act of retaliation
Usage: One must relentlessly pursue one’s goal
Usage: Militants shot dead several, hostages in
in order to embrace success.
reprisal for their leaders assassination.
1045. RELINQUISH (verb) 1058. REPROBATE (noun)
Meaning: give up Meaning: a person who behaves in an immoral way.
Usage: To express his displeasure with the British Usage: Overcome by penitence the reprobate
government Rabindranath Tagore relinquished vowed to mend his ways and turn over a new leaf.
the title conferred upon him.
1059. REPUTE (noun)
1046. REMINISCE (verb) Meaning: the opinion generally held of someone
Meaning: think or talking about the past for or something
enjoyment Usage: He is a person of ill repute and dubious
Usage: The old soldier often reminisced about his credentials; hence he cannot be trusted with the
victories and achievements of the bygone days. job.
1060. REQUITAL (noun) 1073. REVOKE (verb)
Meaning: the act of repaying or retaliating. Meaning: to say officially that an agreement,
Usage: I intend giving her a small gift in requital of permission, a law, etc. is no longer in effect.
the kindness she has shown towards me. Usage: The government’s decision to revoke the
women’s reservation bill was met with stiff
1061. RESCIND (verb) opposition from women activists all over the nation.
Meaning: cancel a law, order or agreement
Usage: Only the President has the authority to 1074. RIDDLE (noun)
rescind an order which has been approved by the Meaning: to be full of something especially
cabinet. Usage: Her essay, which was riddled with
grammatical errors, spoke poorly of her English
1062. RESENT (verb) language skills.
Meaning: dislike, begrudge
Usage: I resent being talked to in a loud voice. 1075. RIFE (adj)
Meaning: widespread
1063. RESILIENT (adj) Usage: Speculation is rife among the political
Meaning: elastic, hardy, hard-wearing circles of a possible mid-term polls.
Usage: Professional sports demand a lot of
mental and physical resilience. 1076. RISQUE (adj)
Meaning: slightly indecent or rude
1064. RESPONSIVE (adj) Usage: The government should impose a ban on
Meaning: to react quickly and favourably the display of risque bill boards on roads in the
Usage: The patient’s condition deteriorated, as he interest of the general public.
was not responsive to treatment.
1077. RITUAL (noun)
1065. RESTITUTION (noun) Meaning: a religious or solemn ceremony
Meaning: payment for injury or loss involving a series of actions performed according
Usage: The court ordered the management of the to a set of orders.
company to pay a lakh of rupees in restitution, to Usage: People belonging to some tribal cultures
the worker who sustained injuries while at work. are notorious for practising gory rituals.
1066. RETICENT (adj) 1078. RIVEN (adj)
Meaning: reserved Meaning: divided because of disagreements,
Usage: The actress was extremely reticent about especially in a violent way
her personal life. Usage: India was riven by internal conflicts
among the various kingdoms which paved the
1067. RETINUE (noun)
Meaning: a group of advisers or assistants way for the British to overpower the nation.
accompanying an important person 1079. RIVETED (verb)
Usage: The heroine arrived on the sets of the film Meaning: to hold someone’s interest or attention
with her retinue, while the director waited so completely that they cannot look away or think
impatiently. of anything else.
Usage: As my grandmother was a good raconteur,
1068. RETORT (verb, noun) I was riveted by the stories she told me.
Meaning: reply angrily, angry reply
Usage: The captain retorted by saying that his 1080. ROTUND (adj)
critics were the kind of people who had never Meaning: round
played the sport even at club level tournaments. Usage: The new chief is a rotund, balding man.
1069. RETROGRADE (adj) 1081. RUDDY (adj)

Meaning: retrospective Meaning: reddish
Usage: Clamping stringent laws that curb Usage: This winter all my friends look ruddy.
freedom could prove to be a retrograde step.
1082. RUEFUL (adj)
1070. RETROSPECTIVE (adj) Meaning: expressing regret
Meaning: looking back Usage: I could make out from the rueful
Usage: It is aptly said that even a fool becomes expression on his face that he was penitent about
wise in retrospect. his errant behaviour.
1071. REVERIE (noun) 1083. RUSE (noun)

Meaning: daydream Meaning: a way of doing something or of getting
Usage: The loud knock on the door shook me something by deceiving someone.
from my reverie. Usage: She was smart enough to detect the
clever ruse of her oppnents.
1072. REVERT (verb) 1084. SABOTAGE (noun)
Meaning: relapse Meaning: deliberately destroy or damage
Usage: The teacher asked the students to revert Usage: Authorities investigating the train accident
to him in case of any confusion. have not ruled out sabotage.
1085. SACCHARINE (adj) 1098. SANGFROID (noun)
Meaning: of sickly sweetness Meaning: the ability to stay calm in difficult
Usage: She greeted me with a saccharine smile. circumstances
Usage: The teacher displayed considerable
1086. SACRILEGIOUS (adj) sangfroid in tackling the difficult situation.
Meaning: treating something sacred or highly
valued with great disrespect. 1099. SARDONIC (adj)
Usage: Entering the precincts of a holy place with Meaning: showing that you think you are better
foot wear is considered sacrilegious. than other people and do not take them seriously
Usage: I could discern from his sardonic tone that
1087. SACROSANCT (adj) he is a conceited individual.
Meaning: sacred
Usage: This school considers the rights of 1100. SATURNINE (adj)
children sacrosanct. Meaning: serious or gloomy
Usage: His usually cheerful countenance has a
1088. SADDLE (verb) saturnine expression indicating that something
Meaning: to encumber, to impose upon was seriously wrong.
(someone) as a burden or encumbrance.
Usage: Having incurred heavy losses in his 1101. SAUNTER (verb)
business, he was saddled with a huge debt. Meaning: to walk in a leisurely manner, to wander
about without purpose
1089. SAGA (noun) Usage: Having a lot of time at our disposal, since
Meaning: a long story about events over a period the flight was delayed, we sauntered about the
of many years. airport lounge aimlessly.
Usage: The saga of the 18th century feudalistic
regime makes for poignant reading. 1102. SAVANT (noun)
Meaning: a very knowledgeable person
1090. SALLOW (adj) Usage: He was a sevant and could speak
Meaning: having a slightly yellow colour that does extempore on any subject.
not look healthy.
Usage: Her sunken cheeks and sallow 1103. SAVOUR (verb)
complexion indicated that she was unwell. Meaning: enjoy or appreciate to the full.
Usage: Although she served us a humble meal,
1091. SALLY (noun) we savoured every morsel with great relish.
Meaning: a sudden charge out of a place
surrounded by an enemy 1104. SAW (noun)
Usage: We were caught unawares when the enemy Meaning: a proverb or wise saying.
troops made a sally against our military deployment. Usage: The wise saws coined by our forefathers,
are full of truth, and have relevance even to this
1092. SALIENT (adj) day.
Meaning: most important or noticeable
Usage: She tried to recollect all the salient points 1105. SCHEMING (adj)
of the discussion. Meaning: often planning secretly to do something
1093. SALUBRIOUS (adj) for your own advantage, especially by deceiving
Meaning: good for one’s health other people.
Usage: The salubrious climate of the city had a Usage: She was too gullible and unsuspecting to
therapeutic effect on her frail health. understand his scheming nature.
1094. SALUTARY (adj) 1106. SCHISM (noun)

Meaning: beneficial because of allowing one to Meaning: a breach especially in the unity of a
learn from experience. church
Usage: The incident was a salutary reminder of Usage: The company seems to be on the brink of
the danger involved in flouting the laws of safety. a schism due to differences of opinion between
the board of directors.
1095. SANCTIMONIOUS (adj)
Meaning: self-righteous 1107. SCHISMATIC (adj)
Usage: The sanctimonious speech of the holy Meaning: a group or organization dividing into
man infuriated the large gathering. two groups as a result of differences in thinking
and beliefs
1096. SANCTITY (noun) Usage: The consolidation of schismatic religious
Meaning: the state of being very important and movements over the years has triggered off
worthy of great respect. terrorist activities in many parts of the world.
Usage: The sanctity of the holy place was destroyed
by vandals indulging in nefarious activities. 1108. SCINTILLATING (adj)
Meaning: brilliant and exciting
1097. SANCTUM (noun) Usage: The audience listened to his scintillating
Meaning: a sacred place speech with rapt attention.
Usage: I experienced a feeling of absolute
serenity as I entered the sanctum of the temple.
1109. SCION (noun) 1122. SEETHE (verb)
Meaning: a descendant of a notable family. Meaning: be filled with great but unexpressed
Usage: Being the scion of a wealthy aristocratic anger.
family he is known for his patrician hauteur. Usage: He was seething with anger at the
injustice meted out to them.
1110. SCORNFUL (adj)
Meaning: showing or feeling contempt 1123. SEGREGATE (verb)
Usage: I was taken aback by her scornful Meaning: to remove from a group
remarks Usage: A child suffering from chicken-pox should
be segregated from other children.
1111. SCOWL (noun) 1124. SEMBLANCE (noun)
Meaning: an annoyed expression. Meaning: appearance, a show
Usage: His wife was a termagant who always had Usage: The reigning champion is so out-of-form
a scowl on her face. that he seems to have no semblance of a chance
to win the title now.
1112. SCRUTINY (noun)
Meaning: close and critical examination 1125. SENILE (adj)
Usage: On close scrutiny it was revealed that the Meaning: having a loss of mental abilities
evidence was doctored. because of old age
Usage: The senile old man cursed all his relatives
1113. SCUD (verb) and called them ‘crooked politicians’.
Meaning: move fast because it is driven by wind.
Usage: Dark monsoon clouds scudding across 1126. SENTIENT (adj)
the sky indicated the onset of the rainy season. Meaning: able to perceive or feel things
Usage: Since plants are sentient living beings
1114. SCUPPER (verb) they should be nurtured with utmost care.
Meaning: to cause somebody or something to fail
Usage: Our plan to go to the seaside for a picnic 1127. SEQUEL (noun)
was scuppered by the untimely rain. Meaning: follow-up, development
Usage: Star Wars ΙΙ is a sequel to Star Wars Ι.
1115. SCURRILOUS (adj)
Meaning: very rude and insulting and intended to 1128. SERVITUDE (noun)
damage somebody’s reputation Meaning: the condition of being a slave or being
Usage: The official filed a defamation suit against forced to obey another person.
the press for the scurrilous attack on his Usage: Indians were held in servitude by the
character. British for several years.
1116. SCURRY (noun) 1129. SHACKLE (verb)

Meaning: a situation of hurried and confused Meaning: to chain someone’s ankles or wrists to
movement. prevent them from escaping.
Usage: There was a scurry to get out when Usage: The hostages were shackled to their
people came to know that a bomb was planted in seats by the hijackers.
the theatre. 1130. SHAM (noun)
1117. SEAR (verb) Meaning: a thing that is not as good or genuine
Meaning: to cause somebody to feel sudden and as it seems to be
great pain. Usage: I was shocked when I realized that all the
Usage: Seared by pangs of guilt for the sin he love and tenderness, which he showed was
had committed, he promised to make amends. nothing more than a sham.
1131. SHARD (noun)

1118. SECTARIAN (adj) Meaning: sharp pieces of broken pottery glass etc.
Meaning: related to a sect or group Usage: Shards of glass were found scattered at
Usage: Modern-day politicians wilfully indulge in the accident site.
sectarian politics.
1132. SHEEPISH (adj)
1119. SEDATE (adj) Meaning: embarrassed from shame or shyness
Meaning: anesthetize, staid, dignified Usage: He did not give a reply to my question but
Usage: He is a rather sedate man. gave a sheepish smile.
1120. SEDITION (noun) 1133. SIDELINE (noun)
Meaning: incitement to rebellion Meaning: activity that is additional to your main job.
Usage: The group was charged with sedition. Usage: Mr. Brown works as a clerk, but teaches
French as a sideline.
1121. SEDULOUS (adj)
Meaning: showing dedication and great care 1134. SIDLE (verb)
Usage: Being a perfectionist to the core he Meaning: to walk somewhere in a shy or
executes any job assigned to him with sedulous uncertain way as if you do not want to be noticed.
care. Usage: Because she was late, she sidled, into the
classroom looking rather sheepish.
1135. SIEGE (noun) 1147. SOLECISM (noun)
Meaning: the act or process of surrounding a Meaning: a breach of good manners or etiquette
town or fortress, cutting off its supply lines and Usage: People should be well-versed in matters
subjecting it to persistent attack. of etiqette in order to avoid solecisms at social
Usage: The beleaguered people of the city gatherings.
heaved a sigh of relief when the siege was 1148. SOLICITUDE (noun)
brought to a peaceful conclusion. Meaning: anxious care for somebody's comfort,
1136. SIMULATE (verb) health or happiness.
Meaning: to feign, to have or assume a false Usage: Mother Teresa's solicitude for the sick and
apperance of. the destitute was legendary.
Usage: Computer software is used to simulate the
sounds made by birds and animals. 1149. SOLIDARITY (noun)
Meaning: agreement and support resulting from
1137. SINISTER (adj) shared interests, feelings, or opinions.
Meaning: seemingly evil or dangerous Usage: The United Nations strives to promote
Usage: The sea appeared sinister indicating that solidarity among the nations of the world.
a fierce storm was imminent.
1150. SOLITUDE (noun)
1138. SKULK (verb) Meaning: loneliness
Meaning: hide or move around in a stealthy way Usage: Somebody has aptly remarked, “Solitude
Usage: When I saw someone skulking behind the is the audience chamber of God.”
bushes, I called in the police immediately fearing
1151. SOMBRE (adj)
that it was a burglar.
Meaning: sad and serious
1139. SLAKE (verb) Usage: Although he is normally a cheerful person,
Meaning: to drink so that you no longer feel thirsty. today he looks unusually sombre.
Usage: I was so thirsty that I guzzled two bottles
1152. SOMNOLENT (adj)
of coke to slake my thirst. Meaning: sleepy
Usage: He hails from a somnolent village on the
1140. SLANDEROUS (adj)
outskirts of Denver.
Meaning: making false and harmful statements
Usage: The politician threatened to sue the 1153. SONOROUS (adj)
newspapers for publishing slanderous remarks Meaning: loud
against him. Usage: The sonorous voice of Jim Reeves is
1141. SLAPDASH (adj) adored by millions across the globe.
Meaning: done or made in a hurried and careless
way. 1154. SORDID (adj)
Usage: His slapdash approach to work was Meaning: involving dishonest or immoral actions
criticized by his superiors. and motives
Usage: When the sordid details of his private life
1142. SLIGHTING (adj) were exposed, people were shocked at the seamy
Meaning: rude or disrespectful side of their leader.
Usage: Although she was piqued by his slighting
1155. SOULFUL (adj)
remarks, she chose to ignore them.
Meaning: expressing deep sadness or love
1143. SMUG (adj) Usage: The audience were deeply moved after
Meaning: irritatingly pleased with oneself. listening to the soulful melodies.
Usage: At this hour of crisis we cannot afford to
be smug about our achievements but must work 1156. SPARSE (adj)
hard to improve the situation. Meaning: thin
Usage: Sparse crowds demotivate artistes.
1144. SMUTTY (adj)
Meaning: dirty or sooty 1157. SPARTAN (adj)
Usage: The film, which was full of smutty jokes Meaning: frugal
and double entendre dialogues, did not appeal to Usage: The retired professor is leading a spartan
the discerning audience. life these days.
1145. SNIDE (adj) 1158. SPASMODIC (adj)

Meaning: disrespectful or mocking in an indirect Meaning: happening suddenly for short periods of
way time, not regular or continuous.
Usage: Piqued by his rival’s snide remarks, John Usage: But for a few spasmodic incidents of
launched into a verbal tirade against him. violence, the riot hit districts were by and large
peaceful.
1146. SOJOURN (noun)
Meaning: halt 1159. SPECIOUS (adj)
Usage: After my sojourn in Delhi, I longed to go Meaning: seemingly reasonable, but actually wrong.
back to my village to escape the hectic life of the Usage: Being a sticlker for detail he cannot be
city. convinced by such specious arguments.
1160 SPECTRE (noun) 1173. STRINGENT (adj)
Meaning: a haunting fear or premonition. Meaning: strict, precise and demanding
Usage: The spectre of ethnic strife is looming Usage: Stringent traffic rules are required to bring
large in several countries of the world. down the number of accidents in the city.
1161. SPOILS (noun) 1174. STUPENDOUS (adj)
Meaning: stolen goods Meaning: extremely impressive
Usage: The thieves shared the spoils of the Usage: The winning team was congratulated for
plunder among themselves.
their stupendous achievement.
1162. SPRIGHTLY (adj) 1175. STYMIE (verb)
Meaning: lively and full of life
Meaning: prevent or slow down the process of
Usage: Not withstanding his age, he is a sprightly
Usage: The extremities of weather like floods and
person with a zest for life.
droughts stymie economic growth.
1163. SPUR (noun)
1176. SUAVE (adj)
Meaning: an encouragement.
Meaning: confident, elegant and polite,
Usage: Mahatma Gandhi’s speeches acted as a
spur which roused the patriotic spirit of the Indians. sometimes in a way that does not seem sincere.
Usage: I was so carried away by the man’s suave
1164. SQUALID (adj) deportment that I was shocked to learn that he
Meaning: the state of being extremely dirty and was a crook.
unpleasant
Usage: He was greatly distressed after witnessing 1177. SUBJUGATE (verb)
the dismal and squalid living conditions of the Meaning: conquer and bring under control
slum dwellers. Usage: India was subjugated by the British for
1165. STAMINA (noun) over three decades.
Meaning: the ability to keep up physical or mental
effort over a long period. 1178. SUBLIME (adj)
Usage: Martial arts like judo and karate call for a Meaning: of very high quality and causing great
lot of stamina. admiration
Usage: The sublime location of the resort, amid
1166. STATUTE (noun)
Meaning: a written law idyllic surroundings, attracted a lot of tourists.
Usage: According to a statute issued by the
Ministry of Health smoking in public is prohibited. 1179. SUBLIMINAL (adj)
Meaning: subconscious
1167. STENTORIAN (adj) Usage: No one can deny the subliminal effects of
Meaning: very loud advertisements.
Usage: Our new drillmaster has got a stentorian
voice.
1180. SUBTERRANEAN (adj)
1168. STIGMA (noun) Meaning: bottomless
Meaning: feelings of disapproval that people Usage: The ancient palace had many
associate with particular illness or the way of subterranean passages.
behaving
Usage: In our society an illegitimate child’s future is 1181. SUBVERT (verb)
often affected because of the stigma attached to it. Meaning: undermine
Usage: The militant group was accused of trying
1169. STOLID (adj) to subvert the peace process.
Meaning: calm, dependable and showing little
emotion.
1182. SUCCOUR (noun)
Usage: Despite all the commotion around him,
Meaning: help and support in times of hardship
Bob remained stolid and silent as usual.
and distress
1170. STRAITENED (adj) Usage: Several voluntary organizations came
Meaning: characterized by poverty. forward to offer succour to the people of the flood
Usage: His father’s untimely death left his family ravaged districts.
in straitened circumstances.
1183. SUFFUSE (verb)
1171. STRAPPING (adj) Meaning: gradually spread through or over
Meaning: (of a person) big and strong Usage: Her face, which was suffused with pallor,
Usage: She came to the party, chaperoned by a suggested that she was unwell.
burly strapping man who was probably her
bodyguard. 1184. SUMPTUOUS (adj)
1172. STRIDENT (adj) Meaning: splendid and expensive looking
Meaning: harsh and unpleasant Usage: More than the sumptuous spread on the
Usage: The strident approach of the captain to table it was the hostess’ geniality which was
tackle the problem was resented by his teammates. heart-warming.
1185. SUPERFLUOUS (adj) 1198. TANTALIZE (verb)
Meaning: extra and not required Meaning: to make a person or an animal want
Usage: This research paper has a lot of something that they cannot have or do.
superfluous data in it. Usage: The tantalizing aroma of freshly baked
bread stirred up our appetite.
1186. SUPERVISE (verb)
Meaning: oversee 1199. TARDY (adj)
Usage: Janice supervised the show well. Meaning: late, slow to act or respond
Usage: The Chief Guest apologized to the
1187. SURFEIT (noun) audience for his tardy arrival.
Meaning: excess
Usage: There is a surfeit of violence in movies 1200. TARNISH (verb)
these days. Meaning: to spoil the good opinion people have
of somebody or something.
1188. SURLY (adj) Usage: His involvement in the scam tarnished his
Meaning: bad-tempered and unfriendly image and jeopardized his political career.
Usage: The boss’s surly nature was resented by
1201. TAWDRY (adj)
his subordinates.
Meaning: showy but cheap and of poor quality
1189. SURPASSING (adj) Usage: His flashy outfit revealed his tawdry dress
Meaning: outstanding sense.
Usage: The surpassing beauty of the Taj Mahal
1202. TEMERITY (noun)
has made it one of the seven wonders of the
Meaning: excessive confidence or boldness
world.
Usage: The haughty young man’s temerity led to
1190. SURVEILLANCE (noun) his miserable downfall.
Meaning: close observation of a suspected spy or
criminal. 1203. TEMPERATE (adj)
Usage: Surveillance cameras were installed at all Meaning: (of a region or climate) having mild
strategic locations in the airport in order to beef up temperatures
security. Usage: The temperate weather of the city has a
salubrious effect particularly on convalescents.
1191. SWERVE (verb)
Meaning: to change direction especially suddenly 1204. TEMPORAL (adj)
Usage: The bus suddenly swerved to the right Meaning: chronological, worldly
and came to a screeching halt. Usage: The chief of the spiritual movement
detested discussing temporal issues like
1192. SYMBIOTIC (adj)
managing the funds of the trust.
Meaning: to the advantage of both
Usage: The crow and the cow share a symbiotic 1205. TEMPORIZE (verb)
relationship. Meaning: to delay making a decision or stating
your opinion in order to obtain an advantage.
1193. SYMPHONY (noun)
Usage: He had been temporizing taking a
Meaning: an elaborate musical composition for
decision on the issue, hoping that some solution
full orchestra.
would be found.
Usage: Beethoven’s Symphony had a spell
binding effect on the audience. 1206. TENABLE (adj)
Meaning: able to be defended against attack or
1194. SYNOPSIS (noun)
objection
Meaning: outline
Usage: The old notion that women are the weaker
Usage: I have to submit the synopsis of my
sex is no longer tenable.
research by the 15th of this month.
1207. TENACIOUS (adj)
1195. TACIT (adj)
Meaning: stubborn
Meaning: unspoken
Usage: A tenacious person like Robert usually
Usage: There is a tacit understanding between
has his way.
the manager and the captain that they will not
interfere in each other’s work. 1208. TENET (noun)
Meaning: one of the principles or beliefs that a
1196. TACTILE (adj)
theory or larger set of beliefs is based on.
Meaning: tangible, demonstrative Usage: Compassion to all living beings is the
Usage: He is a very tactile person who keeps basic tenet of all religions.
touching people to show his affection.
1209. TENUOUS (adj)
1197. TANGENTIAL (adj)
Meaning: very slight or weak
Meaning: peripheral Usage: Being a tenuous argument it does not
Usage: The politician kept on discussing hold much water.
tangential issues when asked for his opinion on
how he intended to solve the important issues.
1210. TEPID (adj) 1222. TITAN (noun)
Meaning: lacking interest or enthusiasm. Meaning: A person of outstanding ability
Usage: Despite a lot of publicity, the event Usage: He is a Titan in business.
evoked only a tepid response.
1223. TITULAR (adj)
1211. TERMINAL (adj) Meaning: holding a formal position or title without
Meaning: predicted to lead to death any real authority.
Usage: Thanks to recent advances in medical Usage: As he is merely a titular head, he does not
science cancer, which was once considered a really have a say in important matters.
terminal disease, is now completely curable.
1212. TERRAIN (noun) 1224. TORPEDO (noun)
Meaning: used to refer to an area of land when Meaning: under water missile
you are mentioning its natural features Usage: The submarine was sunk by a torpedo.
Usage: This mountainous terrain of Afghanistan
helped the terrorist to escape. 1225. TORPID (adj)
Meaning: lazy
1213. TERSE (adj) Usage: After a two-hour swimming session we lay
Meaning: using few words torpid near the pool.
Usage: He was hurt by her terse rejection of his
friendly overtures. 1226. TORRENTIAL (adj)
Meaning: rushing in a stream.
1214. TESTIMONY (noun)
Usage: Life in the city came to a standstill due to
Meaning: evidence or proof of something
Usage: His achievement is a testimony of his the torrential rains.
resoluteness and assiduousness.
1227. TORRID (adj)
1215. TESTY (adj) Meaning: very hot and dry
Meaning: easily irritated Usage: People, living on the plains, experienced
Usage: Being a testy person, she does not get a torrid summer this year.
along with anyone.
1228. TORTUOUS (adj)
1216. THICKSET (adj) Meaning: winding, convoluted
Meaning: having a strong heavy body. Usage: The tortuous path leading to the shrine
Usage: Unlike his brother who is very puny, Fred
tires out even athletically built pilgrims.
is a thickset man.
1217. THRIFT (noun) 1229. TOXIC (adj)

Meaning: carefulness and economy in the use of Meaning: poisonous
money and other resources. Usage: Toxic wastes are constantly polluting our
Usage: One must practise thrift in the use of rivers.
dwindling natural resources. 1230. TRADUCE (verb)
Meaning: say unpleasant or untrue things about
1218. THROES (noun) Usage: The members of the opposition party went
Meaning: struggling in the midst of all out to traduce him.
Usage: The earthquake came as a massive blow
when the country was already in the throes of 1231. TRANSGRESSION (noun)
ethnic strife. Meaning: violation of a moral principle, standard
or law.
1219. TIMBRE (noun) Usage: Transgression of the stipulated laws is a
Meaning: the character of a musical sound or serious offence.
voice as distinct from its pitch and strength
Usage: Her voice had a rich timbre which was just 1232. TRANSIENT (adj)
ideal for her job as a radio announcer. Meaning: fleeting
Usage: Suscess is usually transient, especially in
1220. TIMOROUS (adj) the glamour field.
Meaning: nervous
Usage: I wonder how such a timorous person can 1233. TRANSITORY (adj)
possibly became an actor! Meaning: short-lived
Usage: Life is transitory, yet we cling to it.
1221. TINKER (verb) 1234. TRANSLUCENT (adj)
Meaning: attempt in a casual manner to repair or Meaning: transparent
improve. Usage: The curtains in our bedroom are of
Usage: His ambition was to become an translucent blue colour.
automobile engineer and he appeases it by
spending hours tinkering with his car or bike. 1235. TRANSPIRE (verb)
Meaning: come to be the case
Usage: It transpired that there will be a coalition
government at the centre.
1236. TRAVESTY (noun) 1249. TURBID (adj)
Meaning: an absurd or shocking misrepresentation. Meaning: muddy
Usage: The portrayal of the queen’s character is Usage: The clear river water turned turbid after
a travesty of her actual self. industrial wastes were dumped into it.
1237. TREATISE (noun) 1250. TURBULENT (adj)

Meaning: a long and serious piece of writing on a Meaning: confused, violent
particular subject. Usage: These are turbulent times, as life seems
Usage: Kautilya’s treatise on economics, the to have become violent and unpredictable.
Arthashastra, is held in high esteem even by
modern economists. 1251. TURGID (adj)
Meaning: (of language or style) pompous and
1238. TREMULOUS (adj) boring
Meaning: unsteady, timid Usage: The novelist’s turgid style was lambasted
Usage: In a tremulous voice he said that he had by his critics.
seen a ghost.
1252. TURNCOAT (noun)
1239. TRENCHANT (adj) Meaning: a person who leaves one political party,
Meaning: expressed strongly and clearly religious group. etc. to join one that is very different
Usage: Many critics did not approve of the writer’s Usage: His one time loyalists deserted him,
trenchant style. accusing him of being a turncoat.
1240. TREPIDATION (noun) 1253. TURPITUDE (noun)

Meaning: fear Meaning: baseness, depravity
Usage: There is a growing trepidation that leading Usage: He was sentenced to imprisonment for his
such a hectic life may be resented by most of the act of turpitude.
managers.
1254. TUTELAGE (noun)
1241. TRIBULATION (noun) Meaning: auspices
Meaning: great affliction or oppression Usage: Some of the talented youngsters are now
Usage: An optimist maintains a sanguine attitude under the tutelage of a foreign coach.
even while facing the worst of tribulations.
1255. TWINGE (noun)
1242. TRICE (noun) Meaning: a sudden, sharp pain in a part of the body.
Meaning: quickly or suddenly Usage: She felt a sharp twinge in her shoulder as
Usage: “I would be back in a trice”, he said. she lifted up the heavy box.
1243. TRIDENT (noun) 1256. TWIRL (verb)

Meaning: A spear like instrument with three sharp Meaning: spin quickly and lightly around.
points
Usage: A particular mountain has been named Usage: The couples twirled around the dance
‘Trishul’ as its shape resembles Lord Shiva’s trident. floor waltzing to the soft music.
1244. TRIFLE (noun) 1257. UBIQUITOUS (adj)

Meaning: anything of little importance or value. Meaning: present appearing, or found every where
Usage: Being a short-tempered person, he is Usage: The celebrity was pursued by the
infuriated over trifles. ubiquitous paparazzi who were anxious to
photograph her.
1245. TRIVIAL (adj)
Meaning: unimportant 1258. UMBRAGE (noun)
Usage: If left moderated, meetings could Meaning: offense
degenerate into a discussion of trivial issues. Usage: He took umbrage at her leg pulling.
1246. TROUNCE (verb)
Meaning: to defeat somebody completely. 1259. UNANIMITY (noun)
Usage: We trounced our rival team by forty points Meaning: agreement
to four. Usage: Lack of unanimity among the members of
the party led to the discord.
1247. TRUANCY (noun)
Meaning: staying away from school etc without 1260. UNANIMOUS (adj)
permission or explanation Meaning: fully in agreement
Usage: The principal warned the students that Usage: The selection committee unanimously
indulging in truancy would be dealt with seriously. elected the new captain as he had perfect
credentials for the job.
1248. TRUCULENT (adj)
Meaning: quick to argue and fight 1261. UNAVAILING (adj)
Usage: People avoided his company because Meaning: achieving little or nothing.
they resented his truculent nature. Usage: Efforts to track the perpetrators of the
crime proved unavailing.
1262. UNAWARES (adj) 1275. UNSTUDIED (adj)
Meaning: so as to surprise. Meaning: natural and unaffected.
Usage: The sudden and unseasonal downpour Usage: She composes verses with unstudied ease.
caught us unawares.
1276. UNTOWARD (adj)
1263. UNBIDDEN (adj) Meaning: unexpected and unusual.
Meaning: happening without one expecting or Usage: There will not be any change in the
wanting it to happen. schedule unless anything untoward happens.
Usage: Negative thoughts come unbidden to a
pessimist’s mind. 1277. UNWIELDY (adj)
Meaning: hard to move or manage because of its
1264. UNBRIDLED (adj) size, shape or weight
Meaning: unrestrained Usage: The ordeal of lugging my unwieldly
Usage: His unbridled enthusiasm is contagious. baggage over a flight of stairs left me totally
1265. UNCEREMONIOUS (adj) exhausted and panting for breath.
Meaning: impolite or abrupt
Usage: The marathon speech came to an 1278. UPHEAVAL (noun)
unceremonious halt due to a power breakdown. Meaning: violent or sudden change or disruption.
Usage: The assassination of the Prime Minister
1266. UNCHARTED (adj) was followed by a political upheaval and anarchy
Meaning: that which has not been visited or in the country.
investigated before; not familiar.
Usage: He is taking a calculated risk by entering 1279. UPSHOT (noun)
into a largely uncharted area of business. Meaning: the eventual outcome or conclusion.
Usage: The upshot of the negotiations, between
1267. UNCOUTH (adj) the management and the employees, ended in a
Meaning: rude or socially unacceptable compromise.
Usage: It is unbecoming of an educated person to
behave in such an uncouth manner. 1280. UPSTANDING (adj)
Meaning: honest and downright
1268. UNDERCURRENT (noun) Usage: He looked like an upstanding man but
Meaning: an underlying feeling or influence alas! appearances were deceptive.
Usage: I could discern an undercurrent of
cynicism in his tone. 1281. UPSTART (noun)
Meaning: a person who has suddenly become
1269. UNDERDOG (noun) important and behaves arrogantly
Meaning: weaker section, weaker party, a Usage: The upstart gloated over his newly
competitor thought to have little chance of winning acquired wealth.
a fight or a contest.
Usage: Mulkraj Anand championed the cause of
1282. UPTURN (noun)
the underdog.
Meaning: an improvement or an advantageous
1270. UNDULATING (adj) change to a higher level or value.
Meaning: having a wavy form or outline. Usage: Liberalization has contributed to, a great
Usage: The undulating green stretch of land was extent, the general upturn in the Indian economy.
ideally suited for development of a golf course.
1283. URBANE (adj)
1271. UNFLAGGING (adj) Meaning: suave
Meaning: remaining strong, not becoming weak Usage: John’s urbane style appealed to his peers.
or tired.
Usage: Her unflagging determination helped her 1284. USHER (verb)
immensely in tiding over the crisis. Meaning: to escort people to seats in a hall etc.
Usage: The guests were ushered in to their seats
1272. UNFLINCHING (adj) before the beginning of the programme.
Meaning: not afraid or hesitant
Usage: The armed forces pledged their 1285. UTILITARIAN (adj)
unflinching support to the government during the Meaning: designed to be useful and practical
hour of crisis. rather than attractive
Usage: I prefer living in a utilitarian house rather
1273. UNILATERAL (adv) than a glamorous one.
Meaning: one-sided
Usage: If the other party does not turn up, the 1286. UTOPIAN (adj)
case will be decided unilaterally. Meaning: impractical
Usage: His Utopian dreams will never be realised.
1274. UNNERVE (verb)
Meaning: make (someone) feel nervous or 1287. VACILLATE (verb)
frightened. Meaning: be indecisive; be doubtful
Usage: I felt slightly unnerved by the spooky Usage: I warned him that if he continued to
surroundings of the place. vacillate, the opportunity would slip out of his hand.
1288. VACUOUS (adj) 1301. VENERATE (verb)
Meaning: expressing or chharacterized by a lack Meaning: regard with great respect
of ideas or intelligence; inane Usage: People, not only in India, but in many
Usage: John’s vacous remarks embarrassed his nations across the world venerate trees.
bosses very much.
1302. VERACITY (noun)
1289. VACUUM (noun) Meaning: reality
Meaning: a gap or loss left by someone or Usage: The judge directed the police to verify the
something important veracity of the eyewitness statements.
Usage: The Chief’s death has created a vacuum
in the team. 1303. VERBATIM (adj & adv)
Meaning: word for word, exact
1290. VAGABOND (noun) Usage: The best part of this organisation is that
Meaning: vagrant even the CEO is very accessible.
Usage: Do you know that the vagabond next door
is a graduate? 1304. VERBOSE (adj)
Meaning: wordy
1291. VAGARY (noun) Usage: The new writer’s articles are full of
Meaning: an unexpected and mysterious change verbose statements.
Usage: Indian agriculture, to a large extent, is
affected by the vagaries of the weather. 1305. VERDICT (noun)
Meaning: a formal decision made by a jury in a court
1292. VAGRANT (noun, adj) of law as to whether a person is innocent or guilty.
Meaning: homeless person Usage: The accused will be kept in confinement
Usage: His vagrant nature irritated his parents. until the jury pronounces its verdict.
1293. VALOR (noun) 1306. VERITY (noun)

Meaning: courage Meaning: truth
Usage: Hercules was famous for his valour. Usage: “I do not, even for a moment, doubt the
verity of Mona’s statement,” said her father.
1294. VANDAL (noun)
Meaning: a person who deliberately destroys or 1307. VERSATILE (adj)
damages property. Meaning: adaptable, multipurpose
Usage: Vandals pelted stones and caused Usage: Clark Gable is a versatile actor.
damage to several shops in one of the city’s
upmarket shopping areas. 1308. VERTIGO (noun)
Meaning: dizziness
1295. VANGUARD (noun) Usage: Pilots are tested for vertigo from time to
Meaning: front line time.
Usage: He was in the vanguard of the
Renaissance movement. 1309. VET (verb)
Meaning: to examine (e.g a document or
1296. VANQUISH (verb) candidate) thoroughly and critically
Meaning: conquer Usage: The publishing house thoroughly vets all the
Usage: The Chicago Bulls vanquished their manuals before they are released in the market.
opponents very comfortably.
1310. VEXATIOUS (adj)
1297. VAPID (adj) Meaning: causing annoyance or worry.
Meaning: offering nothing that is stimulating or Usage: Piqued by the child’s vexatious behaviour
exciting. his mother admonished him severely.
Usage: Most people, these days, spend their
evenings watching vapid TV soaps rather than 1311. VIABLE (adj)
socializing or pursuing an intellectual activity. Meaning: capable of working successfully
Usage: The plan had to be shelved mid way
1298. VARIEGATED (adj) because it was not economically viable.
Meaning: multicoloured
Usage: The joker’s variegated attire amused the 1312. VICARIOUS (adj)
children very much. Meaning: experienced in one’s imagination after
watching or reading about another person’s
1299. VEILED (adj) actions or feelings
Meaning: not expressed directly or clearly. Usage: Thanks to the developments in modern
Usage: Our veiled threats failed to have any technology we are able to experience the vicarious
impact on our opponents. pleasure of travelling to exotic locales in the world.
1300. VENAL (adj) 1313. VICISSITUDES (noun)

Meaning: prepared to do dishonest or immoral Meaning: changes of circumstances or fortune
things in return for money. Usage: Despite experiencing the vicissitudes of
Usage: During his brief stint as a minister the life he is always sanguine about the future.
venal politician amassed a lot of ill-gotten wealth
1314. VIE (verb) 1328. VOLITION (noun)
Meaning: to compete strongly with somebody in Meaning: the power of choosing freely and
order to obtain or achieve something. making one’s own decision.
Usage: A few years ago nationalized banks vied Usage: “No one forced me”, He remarked “I did
with each other to offer loans to customers at the this out of my own volition.
lowest possible interest rate.
1329. VOLUMINOUS (adj)
1315. VIE (verb) Meaning: very large
Meaning: to contend. Usage: The magician fished out the missing
Usage: The resort had several inns and restaurants rabbit, from the pocket of his voluminous coat.
vying with each other to lure customers.
1330. VORACIOUS (adj)
1316. VIGILANT (adj) Meaning: insatiable
Meaning: very careful to notice any signs of Usage: He has a voracious appetite.
danger or trouble.
Usage: Since there was a spurt of burglaries in 1331. VORTEX (noun)
the area, residents were asked to remain vigilant. Meaning: a very powerful, force or situation that
you cannot avoid or escape.
1317. VILE (adj) Usage: Sometimes innocent young people are
Meaning: extremely wicked caught into a vortex of bad habits quite
Usage: The weather suddenly turned vile forcing unsuspectingly.
us to shelve our plans of going to the seaside for 1332. VOUCHSAFE (verb)
a picnic. Meaning: to give or tell something to somebody,
esp. as a privilege.
1318. VILIFICATION (noun)
Usage: Nature has vouchsafed innumerable
Meaning: speaking or writing in a very abusive way
benedictions on mankind.
Usage: The vilification of our established customs
and traditions is resented by orthodox thinkers. 1333. WADDLE (verb)
Meaning: to walk with short steps.
1319. VIRULENT (adj)
Usage: An obese matronly woman waddled
Meaning: extremely harmful
towards the entrance to answer the door bell.
Usage: The couple were devasted after their only
son succumbed to a virulent strain of pneumonia. 1334. WAIVE (verb)
1320. VISAGE (noun) Meaning: refrain from insisting on or applying (a
Meaning: countenance right or claim).
Usage: The visage of the palace has been redone. Usage: Claiming moral responsibility for the
incident, he waived his right to appeal.
1321. VISION (noun)
1335. WAYLAY (verb)
Meaning: dream, eyesight, foresight
Meaning: intercept (someone) in order to attack
Usage: The Chairman’s vision for the company
them.
sounded rather impractical.
Usage: The passengers were waylaid and looted
1322. VISTA (noun) by a band of robbers.
Meaning: view
1336. WAYWARD (adj)
Usage: The vista from the resort is breathtaking.
Meaning: capricious or irregular
1323. VITALITY (noun) Usage: On new year’s day, he resolved to give up
Meaning: energy his wayward behaviour and turn over a new leaf.
Usage: Mike’s speech lacked vitality.
1337. WEIRD (adj)
1324. VIVACIOUS (adj) Meaning: suggesting something supernatural,
Meaning: lively unnatural or unconventional
Usage: Jane is a vivacious lady. Usage: People looked at her with a strange
expression because of her weird hairdo.
1325. VIVID (adj)
Meaning: bright, gaudy, clear 1338. WHEEDLE (verb)
Usage: He gave a vivid account of the accident. Meaning: use endearments or flattery to
persuade someone to do something.
1326. VOCAL (adj) Usage: The children had a knack of wheedling
Meaning: verbal, vociferous money out of their father.
Usage: The victim received vocal support from
the press. 1339. WHEREWITHAL (noun)
Meaning: the money or other resources needed
1327. VOCIFEROUS (adj) for a particular purpose
Meaning: vocal Usage: Her uncle left her a legacy of forty
Usage: The jury did not change its verdict despite thousand pounds which gave her the required
vociferous appeals from the defendant. wherewithal to buy anything that took her fancy.
1340. WHET (verb) 1345. WISTFUL (adj)
Meaning: excite or stimulate (someone’s desire, Meaning: having or showing a strange or regretful
interest, or appetite) longing
Usage: Avid reading can whet one’s appetite for Usage: "I wish I could buy the talking doll
knowledge. displayed in the shop window", said the little girl
wistfully.
1341. WHOLESOME (adj)
1346. WONT (adj)
Meaning: helping towards good health and
Meaning: in the habit of doing something.
physical or moral well-being.
Usage: He was wont to waking up before the
Usage: Children should be encouraged to eat
break of dawn.
wholesome snacks rather than junk food.
1347. WRATH (noun)
1342. WILDERNESS (noun) Meaning: extreme anger
Meaning: an uncultivated, uninhabited and Usage: The organisers had to face the wrath of
inhospitable region. the audience when there was an inordinate delay
Usage: Having been blessed with green fingers, in starting the programme.
he can make a garden even in wilderness.
1348. WREST (verb)
Meaning: forcibly pull from a person’s grip.
1343. WILY (adj)
Usage: The policeman sustained injuries when he
Meaning: skilled at gaining an advantage,
tried to wrest the dagger from a burglar.
especially deceitfully.
Usage: She has a knack of getting things done by 1349. ZEALOTRY (noun)
using her wily charms. Meaning: excessive enthusiasm in following a
religion or policy
1344. WINDED (adj) Usage: Religious zealotry is one of the main
Meaning: temporarily unable to breathe after causative factors of communal tensions.
taking hard physical exercise.
1350. ZEST (noun)
Usage: The trek was pretty arduous and we were
Meaning: great enthusiasm and energy
totally winded by the time we reached the top of
Usage: Despite being aged, he is young at heart
the mountain.
and has a great zest for lifel
WORD LIST-ADVANCED
A acclimate (v) :to accustom to a new climate or
aaronic (adj) : pertaining to priesthood environment
aasvogel (n) : S African vulture acclivity(n) : an upward slope
abaca (n) : a plantain grown in the Philippine accompany (v) : to go along with; to associate, join,
Islands or couple
aback (adv) : taken by surprise accomplice (n) : a person who helps another or
abaddon (n) : hell others to commit a crime
abandon (v) : to give up accomplish(v) : perform; succeed in doing; complete
abbot (n) : a man who is the head of an accomplished(adj): clever, skilled; well-trained or
abbey of monks educated
abettor (n) : one who encourages or assists accost (v) : to approach and speak (often
(in doing bad things) threateningly) to; assault
abhorrent(adj) : inspiring disgust; repugnant, accoutre (v) : to dress or equip
hateful, detestable accretion (n) : continued growth; an extraneous
abolitionist (n) : a person who favours the abolition addition
of a practice or institution accrue (v) : to fall due; to accumulate
abominable (adj) : very bad or unpleasant, acerbity (n) : acrimony; sarcasm; bitterness
detestable, loathsome acidulous (adj) : sarcastic; caustic or sharp
abominate (v) : to abhor; to detest acknowledge (v) : to express gratitude or thanks; to
aborigine (n) : an original or native inhabitant of admit or intimate receipt of
a country (n: acknowledgement)
abrade (v) : to wear down or off acme (n) : the top or highest point; the
abridge (v) culmination or perfection in the
(n : abridgement) : to shorten; to curtail career of anything
abscess (n) : a collection of pus in a cavity acoustics (n) : a device which converts electrical
abstemious (adj) : temperate; restrained in relation to pulses to sound; used in hearing,
food, drink, or other pleasures auditory
abstinence (n) : to restrain (with, from) acronym (n) : a word formed from or based on
abysmal (adj) : unfathomable the initial letters or syllables of
abyss (n) : the depths of the sea; anything other words
very deep actuarial (adj) : mathematical and statistical
accessory (n/adj) : additional; present along with techniques
something more important actuate (v) : incite to, action
adamant (adj) : unyielding; inflexible
adapt (v) alimentary (adj) : nutritive; pertaining to nourishment
(n : adaptation) : to make fit or suitable; to modify allegory (n) : symbol; symbolical narration
addle (adj) : putrid; bad alleviate (v) : to lessen or reduce; to mitigate
adhesive (n/adj) : sticky; a substance such as glue alliteration (n) : the recurrence of the same initial
used for sticking things together sound in words in close succession
adipose (n/adj) : of fat; fatty allude (v) : to convey an indirect reference; to
adjunct (n) : a thing joined or added, but refer without explicit mention
subordinate or not essentially a part alluvial (adj) : soil deposited by rivers or floods
adjure (v) : command; direct with matter transported in suspension
adjutant (n) : an officer who assists superior aloft (adj) : on high; on the top
officers by communicating orders, aloof (adv) : detached; some way off (from);
conducting correspondence without participation
adnauseam altruism (n) : benevolence; humanitarianism;
(phrase) : to the point of producing disgust munificence
adobe (n) : a sun-dried brick altruistic (adj) : regard for others as a principle of
adore (v) : to worship; to love or revere intensely action, unselfishness, regard for
adorn (v) : to dress; to embellish; to decorate other people
adroit (adj) : dexterous; skillful; ingenious alumna (n) : a former female pupil or student
adventitious (adj) : additional; developed out of the amalgamate : combine or unite to form one
usual order or place structure, organisation, etc.
advocate (n/v) : defender; attorney; lawyer; promote amazon (n) : a female soldier; a strong,
aegis (n) : patronage; protection vigorous or aggressive woman
aeon (n) : a vast age; eternity ambidextrous (adv) : able to use both hands equally well
aerialist (n) : a high-wire or trapeze artist ambience (n) : atmosphere; surrounding influence
aesthete (n) : a person who has or professes to ambiguous (adj) : doubtful; indistinct; having more
have a special appreciation of beauty than one possible meaning
aesthetic (adj) : artistic; exquisite amble (n) : to move at an easy pace
aesthetician(n) : a person versed in or devoted to amen (interjection) : so let it be, (said at the end of a
aesthetics prayer)
aestival : pertaining to summer amenable (adj) : agreeable; open
aestivate (v) : spend the summer or dry season amend (v) : to alter in detail, with a view to
in a state of torpor. improvement; to rectify; to correct
aficionado(n) : a devotee of a sport or pass time amigo(n) : a friend or comrade
affect (v) : to infect or attack; to influence amiss (adv) : astray; wrongly; faultily
affidavit (n) : a written declaration on oath amoral (adj) : outside the domain of morality
affiliate (v/n) amputate (v) : to cut off
(n: affiliation) : to attach as a member or branch; amuck (adv) : to rush about wildly, attacking
an associate anyone in one’s path
affinity (n) : attraction; liking; proclivity amulet (n) : a charm worn to ward off evil,
affirmation (n) disease etc.
(v: affirm) : assertion; declaration anachronism(n) : an error assigning a thing to an
affluence (n) earlier or to a later age than it
(adj: affluent) : abundance; wealth belongs to
affray (n) : a brawl, fight or fray anaemia (n) : bloodlessness
agape (adj) : with gaping mouth; dumbfounded anaesthetic
agenda (n.pl) : (a list of) things to be done; (adj & n) : a substance that produces
a programme of business for insensibility to pain
discussion analgesic (adj) : producing analgesia; causing
agglomeration(n) : accumulation; collection; gather insensibility to pain
aggrandize (v) : augment; increase analogy (n) : a resemblance of relations
aggregate (n/adj) : to amount (to); total anarchist (n) : an advocate of anarchism or of
aghast (adv) : stupefied with horror political disorder
agility (n) : nimbleness; swiftness and anathema (n) : abhorrence; abomination
suppleness ancillary (adj/n) : auxiliary; supplementary; subsidiary
agitation (n) : tumult; turmoil; distraction (in work) andirons : iron bars to support the end of logs
agnostic (n) : cynic; a sceptic in fire
agrarian (adj) : agricultural; relating to land animadvert (v) : to take cognizance; to take note; to
albeit (conj) : whereas; although it be comment critically; to consider
albino (n) : a person with abnormally white animated(adj) : lively; full of spirit
skin and hair and pink irises anneal (v) : to strengthen or toughen; to heat
alchemy (n) : the infant stage of chemistry, and cool gradually to temper or
aimed towards transmuting of toughen.
other metals into gold, and annotate (v) : to make notes; to append notes
discovering the elixir of life annul (v) : cancel; invalidate; to make null; to
alga (n) : the seaweeds and related forms abolish
alias (n/adv) : otherwise known as; an assumed anodyne (n) : medicine that allays pain; something
name that relieves mental distress
alienate (v) : to estrange anoint (v) : to smear with ointment or oil
anomalous (adj) : irregular; deviating from rule arrears (n) : total unpaid debt; debts not paid
anonymous (adj) : lacking a name; lacking distinctive by the due date
features or individuality arrogate (v) : to claim as one’s own; to claim
antecede (v) : to go before in time proudly or unduly
antediluvian (adj) : very old-fashioned, primitive arroyo (n) : a rocky ravine; a dry watercourse
anthropoid (adj) : manlike articulate (adj) : jointed; to speak distinctly
antipathy (n) : aversion; dislike; negative feeling artifacts (n) : things made by human workmanship
antithesis (n) : a thesis or proposition opposing artifice (n) : machination; tactic; stratagem
another ascendancy (n) : dominating influence
aperture (n) : an opening; a hole ascertain (v) : certify; establish; verify
apex (n/adj) : the summit; the culminating point askance (adv) : sideways; obliquely
or climax of anything askew (adv) : aslant; awry; crooked; lopsided
aphasia (n) : inability to express thought in words, asperity (n) : acrimony; harshness; bitter coldness
caused by brain disease or damage aspersion (n) : calumny; slander
aphorism (n) : a brief, pithy saying; an adage aspire (v) : yearn; desire
apiary (n) : place where bees are kept assent (n/v) : to express agreement (with, to);
aplomb (n) : self-possession, coolness approve of; consent
apocalyptic (adj) : prophetic of disaster or, of the end assessment (n) : appraisal; judgement
of the world; pertaining to the assimilate (v) : digest; absorb
Apocalypse assuage (v) : to soften, mitigate or allay; to ease
apocryphal (adj) : fictitious; of doubtful authority or relieve
apogee (n) : the sun’s greatest meridional asteroid (n) : one of the small planets that
altitude; acme; pinnacle revolve about the sun mainly
apoplexy (n) : sudden loss of sensation and between the orbits of Mars and
motion (generally the result of Jupiter; starfish
haemorrhage in the brain) astigmatism (n) : a defect in an eye
apostate (n) : a person who has abandoned his astral (adj) : belonging to the stars
religion, principles, etc astringent (adj) : contracting, drawing together;
apothecary (n) : a druggist or pharmacist licensed caustic
to dispense prescribed drugs astute (adj) : wily; bright; sagacious; intelligent
apothegm (n) : a pithy saying, pointed and asunder (adv) : apart; into parts
practical than the aphorism need be asylum (n) : refuge or protection; institution for
appall (v) : to horrify, dismay; to weaken the care or relief of unfortunate
apparition (n) : a phantom; a ghost (blind, mentally ill)
appease (v) : to pacify; to satisfy atavism (n) : the reappearance of ancestral or
appellation : name esp one attached to a to a primitive, type characteristics
particular person atelier (n) : a workshop, esp an artist’s studio
apposite (adj) : to the purpose athwart (prep) : transversely; wrongly
appraise (v) : to estimate the worth of attache : a person appointed to an
apprehend (v) : to lay hold of; to arrest ambassador’s staff, usually with a
appurtenances (n) : an appendage or accessory special sphere of activity
apropos (prep) : in reference to (with of); as per attenuate (v) : to reduce (in strength or value)
aquiline (adj) : hooked like an eagle’s beak attest (v) : to testify or bear witness to; to
arable (adj) : land fit for ploughing or crop affirm by signature
production attribute (v) : ascribe; assign
arbiter (n) : a person who has absolute control, attrition (n) : wearing down
or right to judge. (fem. arbitress) audacious (adj) : bold; daring
arbitrator : a person appointed to settle a augment (v) : to increase
dispute augury (n) : divination; prophecy
arcane (adj) : secret; mysterious auscultation (n) : listening to internal bodily sounds
archaeology (n) : the study of human antiquities, authenticate (v) : to prove genuine; to certify the
discovered by excavation of authorship of; to give legal validity to
material remains authoritarian (adj) : setting authority above freedom
archaic (adj) : antiquated; old-fashioned automaton (n) : a machine that acts by routine,
archetype (n) : the original pattern or model without intelligence, activated by a
archipelago (n) : a group of islands; a sea concealed mechanism
abounding in islands autonomous (adj) : self-governing; independent
archives (n) : a repository of public records autopsy (n) : a post-mortem examination of a
archivist : a person who maintains and is in corpse
charge of archives auxiliary (adj) : supplementary; secondary
arduous (adj) : laborious; strenuous avarice (n) : greed for wealth; covetousness
arid (adj) : dry; barren averse (adv) : disinclined; reluctant
armada : a fleet of armed ships aviary (n) : a large cage or enclosure for
aromatic (adj) : fragrant; spicy keeping birds
arraign (v) : to call to account; to put on trial; avocation (n) : a diversion or distraction from
indict one’s regular employment
arrant (adj) : notorious; downright, unmitigated avuncular : suitable to an uncle; benign
axiom (n) : a universally received principle
azure (adj) : of a faint blue; sky-coloured bestial (adj) : barbaric; unrefined; like an animal
bestow (v) : to give or confer
B betenoire (n) : a person or thing that one
babble (v) : murmur; to talk incessantly especially dislikes or fears
bacchanalian (adj): drunken betroth (adj/adv) : promised in marriage (a person)
badger (v) : bother; harass; pester bevel (n) : a slant or inclination of a surface
baffle (v) : confuse; perplex bevy (n) : a company or flock (of ladies)
bagatelle (n) : a trifle, trinket; a piece of music in bibliophile : a person who collects or is fond of
a light style books
bailiwick (n) : someone’s area of interest bicameral (adj) : having two chambers (a legislative
bait (n) : allurement or temptation body)
balk (v) : to shirk, avoid; to thwart biennial (adj) : lasting two years; happening once
balladeer : a singer or composer of ballads in two years
ballistics (n.pl) : the science of projectiles bigotry (n) : discrimination; prejudice
ballyhoo (n) : a noisy propaganda; to create loud bilious (adj) : irritable; bad-tempered; affected by
publicity bile
balmy (adj) : gentle; pleasant bilk (v) : to elude; to cheat
banal (adj) : fatuous; insipid; trite bivouac (n) : a makeshift camp
bandanna (n) : a silk or cotton coloured handkerchief bizzare (adj) : fantastic; outlandish
bandy (v) : to toss from one to another (words blasphemous (adj) : impious; profane
with someone) blatant (adj) : obtrusive; glaring; flagrant
bane (n) : destructive cause; pernicious blather (n & v) : foolish chatter, (v. chatter foolishly)
banter (n/v) : humorous ridicule; to make fun of blazon (n/v) : (a) a coat of arms;
barb (n) : bristle; thorn (b) to make public; to display
barbarian(n) : an uncultured or brutish person, ostentatiously
a lout (adj. uncivilized) bleak (adj/adv) : gloomy; grim
baroque (adj) : elaborate; flamboyant; extravagant blight : any obscure force which is harmful
barrage (n) : a continuous shower of projectiles; or destructive, an unsightly or
an artificial bar across a river neglected urban area
barrister : a person called to the bar and blighted (adj/adv) : spoiled; ruined (by disease)
entitled to practice as an advocate bludgeon : a short stick with a heavy striking
in the higher courts end (n); to hit with a bludgeon (v)
bartender : a person serving behind the bars blurt (v) : to utter suddenly or unadvisedly
of a public house bode (v) : to foretell; to have a presentiment of
bask (v) : to lie in the warmth or sunshine; bogus (adj) : fake; fraud
indulge bohemian : a socially unconventional person
bassoon (n) : a musical instrument esp. an artist or writer
bastion (n) : a kind of tower at the angle of a bolster (v) : to support (maintenance, backing)
fortification; a defence bombastic (adj) : pompous; flamboyant
bate (v) : wait anxiously bonanza (n) : source of wealth
bathos (n) : a ludicrous descent from the bootlicker : a person who behaves obsequiously
elevated to the ordinary in writing or servilely
or speech boorish (adj) : a rude, ill-mannered person, a
bauble (n) : a showy, usually cheap, ornament clumsy person
bawdy (adj) : obscene; lewd; vulgar bouillon (n) : a strong broth
beatific (adj) : blissful; heavenly bountiful (adj) : abundant; plentiful
becoming (adj) : appropriate; fitting; attractive bourgeois (n) : working class; middle class
bedizen (v) : to dress gaudily (members)
bedraggle (v) : drench; soak bowdlerise (v) : to expurgate
befuddle (v) : confuse; baffle brackish (adj) : saltish
behemoth (n) : a great beast; huge or gigantic animal braggadocio (n) : a boaster; empty boasting
beholden (adj) : bound in gratitude; under an brazen (adj) : impudent; arrogant
obligation brazier (n) : a containers or tray for hot coals
behoove (v) : necessary (for someone) breach (n/v) : an act of breaking (law or contract);
belabor (v) : to assail verbally a gap made in fortification; breakers
belles-llettres : polite or elegant literature breadwinner : a person who earns the money to
bellicose (adj) : contentious; warlike support a family
benediction (n) : blessings brigand : a member of a robber band living
benefactor (n) : a person who confers a benefit by pillage and ransom usually in
beneficence (n) : kindness; charity wild terrain
beneficiary (n) : recipient brindled (adj) : marked with spots or streaks
benison (n) : blessing; benediction bristling (adj) : making angry
bereavement (n) : loss by death of a relative or friend broach (v) : to start to speak about; to bring
berserk (adj) : violently frenzied about; mention
beseech (v) : to entreat; to ask or pray earnestly to brocade (n) : a silky fabric with a raised design
besiege (v) : to attack and surround with the on it
intent of capturing; to importune; to brooch (n) : an ornamental clasp with a joined
pester pin fitting into a hook
brook (n/v) : a small stream; to bear or endure cant (n) : vocabulary or language peculiar to
buccaneer (n) : a pirate, ruthless speculator or a particular group or sect
adventurer cantata (n) : musical narrative by a person,
bucolic (adj) : pastoral; rustic, rural accompanied by a single instrument
bugbear (n) : cause of anxiety canter (n) : an easy gallop
bullion (n) : gold or silver in the mass and canto (n) : a division of a long poem
uncoined canvas (n/adj) : a coarse cloth of cotton, hemp or
bulwark (n) : any means of defence or security; other material
the side of a ship projecting above capacious (adj) : spacious; massive; large
the deck caparison (n) : rich clothing and ornaments (for
bumptious (adj) : aggressive; offensively self-important covering animals)
buncombe (n) : bombastic speech making intended capillary (n/adj) : a thin-walled blood vessel that
for the newspapers rather than to forms a network connecting arteries
persuade the audience with veins; a fine-bored tube
buoyant (n/v) : floating; weightless; cheerful and capitol (n) : the building where Congress or a
resilient state legislature meets
bureaucrat : an official in a bureaucracy, an caprice (n) : a whim; an unpredictable change
inflexible or insensitive administrator of mind
bureaucracy (n) : a system of government or caption (n) : a heading
administration by officials, captious (adj) : ready to find trivial faults
responsible only to their carafe (n) : a water-bottle or wine-flask for the
departmental chiefs table
burgeon (v) : to grow carcinogenic : substances encouraging spread or
burlesque (n/v) : mockery; a ludicrous imitation growth of cancer in the body
burly (adj) : big and sturdy careen (v) : to tilt to one side
burnish (n/v) : lustre; polish caricature (n) : burlesque; satire
buskin (n) : a high thick-soled boot worn by carillon (n) : melody played on a set of bells; a
actors in tragedy set of bells for playing tunes
bustle (n/v) : full of noise; be busy with carmine (n) : bright red pigment
busybody : a meddlesome person, a mischief- carnage (n) : bloodshed; extensive slaughter
maker carnal (adj) : sensual; unspiritual; sexual
buttress (n/v) : support carousal (n) : a noisy revel; a feast
buxom (adj) : plump and comely; voluptuous; carp (n) : to nag about trivialities; to find fault
shapely; well-built (with, at)
carrion (n) : the dead and rotten body or flesh
C carte ‘-blanche (n) : a blank paper, one bearing a
cabal (n) : a secret plot or intrigue signature, to be filled up at the
cache (n/v) : a hiding-place for treasure; to hide recipient’s discretion
cadaverous (adj) : sickly-looking; gaunt or haggard cartography (n) : the skill or profession of making
cadence (n) : rhythm maps and charts
caisson (n) : an apparatus for lifting a vessel out caryatid (n) : a female figure used instead of a
of the water for repairs or inspection column to support an entablature
cajole (v) : to coax; beguile castaway : a shipwrecked person, cast aside,
calamity (n) : catastrophe; a disaster rejected
calligraphy (n) : fine handwriting or penmanship; a caste (n/adj) : a social class amongst Hindus in
characteristic style of writing India
callous (adj/adv) : cold-hearted; insensitive; castigate (v) : to criticize severely; to punish or
unsympathetic scold
callow (adj) : inexperienced; juvenile casualty (n/adj) : an injury or death; a misfortune;
calorific : pertaining to, or causing heat department of a hospital
calumniate (v) : to accuse falsely; to slander
casuist : a person who resolves problems of
calumny (n) : false accusation or statement;
defamation conscience, duty etc, often with
camaraderie (n) : the intimacy of comradeship; good clever but false reasoning, sophist,
fellowship quibbler
cameo (n) : a gem with figure (usu a head or casuistry (n) : science concerned with moral
bust ) carved in relief conscience; plausible but flawed
camouflage (n/v) : device for disguising or for reasoning
deceiving an adversary; to disguise cataclysm (n) : a major disaster; a débâcle
canard (n) : a false rumour catalyst (n) : stimulus; a person who causes or
canine (adj) : dog-like; related species of the dog
promotes change by their
family
canker (n) : a fungus disease in trees and presence in a situation
shrubs; an ulcer; disease like catapult (v) : hurl; fling; propel
situation causing destruction cataract (n) : a waterfall; an opaque condition of
cannon (n) : a great gun (usually mounted on the lens of the eye
wheels) catastrophe (n) : calamity; tragedy
catechism (n) : comprehensive system of teaching chasten (v) : to free from faults by punishing; to
in the form of questions and purify or refine
answers chattel (n) : belongings; possessions
categorical (adj) : positive; unconditional; absolute chauffeur : a person employed to drive a
catharsis (n) : purification private or hired motor car
cathartic : ablutionary; cleansing the bowels cherubic (adj) : a sweet innocent-looking chubby
catholic (n) : liberal faced person, esp a child
caucus (n/v) : conference; meeting; to hold chic (n/adj) : style, elegance; artistic skill; smart,
meetings elegant and fashionable
cauterize (v) : to destroy using caustic substances chicanery (n) : artifice; deception; fraud
cavalcade (n) : a procession of people on choleric : irascible, angry
horseback or in vehicles; a parade chute (n) : a passage or sloping trough for
cavil (n/v) : a trifling objection; to quibble sending down goods, water,
cede (v) : yield; surrender; relinquish rubbish, etc
celerity (n) : alacrity; speed; rapidity of motion cinch (n) : a saddle girth
or thought circumlocution(n) : expressing an idea in more words
celestial (adj) : heavenly; divine than are necessary
celibate (adj) : living as a single person; circumscribe (v) : to draw a line round; to enclose
abstaining from sexual relations within certain limits
censor (n/v) : an official who examines books, citadel (n) : a fortress in (or near) a city
films, papers etc. with power to clairvoyant (n/adj): the power of discerning things
delete obscene words and actions; beyond the normal range of sense
to ban; to delete or perception
censure (v) : berate; criticise; to blame; to castigate clamber (v) : to climb with difficulty; to ascend
centaur (n) : a mythical creature, half man and clamor (n) : a loud continuous outcry; uproar;
half horse persistent expression of
centenarian : a person a hundred or more years dissatisfaction
old clangor (n) : a loud ringing noise that made by
centigrade (adj) : of a scale striking large pieces of metal
centrifugal (adj) : tending away from the centre; clarion (n/adj) : the sound of a trumpet; a stirring
proceeding in development from summons (to duty, etc)
the apex towards the base claustrophobia (n): a pathological dread of confined
centripetal (adj) : tending towards the centre; spaces
proceeding in development from clavicle (n) : the collar-bone
the base towards the apex cleft (n/adj) : crack; split, divided
centurion (n) : In Roman army, an officer who had clemency (n) : mercy; mild; gentle
the command of a hundred men cleric : a member of the clergy
cerebral (adj) : pertaining to the brain; intellectual cliché (n) : banality; stereotype
ceremonious (adj): given to ceremony; particular in clientele (n) : all the customers; clients
observing formalities climactic (adj) : pertaining to the most important or
cessation (n) : stopping; ceasing exciting scene
chafe (v) : to heat; to wear by rubbing; to clime (n) : climate; a country, region (in poetic
cause irritation sense)
chaff (n) : husks from corn that has been cloak : an outdoor overgarment
threshed or winnowed cloven (adj) : split; divided
chaffing (adj) : teasing; banter coadjutor (n) : an associate
chagrin (n) : embarrassment; shame; humiliation coalesce (v) : to grow together or unite into one
chalice (n) : drinking cup or bowl whole; to fuse
chameleon (n) : an inconstant, changeable, or cockade (n) : a rosette worn on the hat as a badge
readily adaptable person; a lizard coda (n) : a passage forming the completion
which can change its colour to of a piece, rounding it off to a
blend with its surroundings satisfactory conclusion
champion (n/v) coddle (n/v) : to pamper; an effeminate person
(n : championship): a successful combatant; promote codicil (n) : a supplement to a will
chaotic (adj) : confused; disorganised coeval (n) : a person or thing of the same age;
chaperon (n/v) : someone who supervises a group a contemporary
of children or young people (usu. cog (n/adj) : a projection, eg. on a toothed wheel
for protection) cogitate (v) : contemplate; meditate; ponder
charlatan (n) : someone who pretends to have cognomen (n) : a surname
special knowledge or ability (esp in coherent : able to speak intelligibly and
medicine); an impostor; a fraud articulately, having a constant
chasm (n) : a gap or opening; a void space; phase relationship
an abyss; a ravine cohesion (n) : the act of sticking together
chassis (n/adj) : the structural framework of a motor coincident(adj/adv): agreeing; corresponding or
car to which the movable working identical without any connection
parts and body may be attached colander (n) : a perforated vessel
chaste (adj) : modest; decent and pure in taste columnist : a journalist contributing regularly to
and style a newspaper
collage (n) : any work or construction put connotation (n) : implication additional to the idea
together from assembled fragments conscientious (adj): tending to take great care or show
collate (v) : to bring together for comparison diligence; scrupulous; meticulous
collation (n) : organisation; arrangement; group; consecrate (v) : to devote (time, energy etc.); to
a light meal sanctify
collier (n) : a coal miner; a sailor in a ship consort (n/v) : spouse; mate; partner; companion
carrying coal conspiracy (n) : a plot; a secret banding together
colloquy (n) : conversation; discussion for a purpose (usu. unlawful)
collusion (n) : conspiracy; plot constellation (n) : stars which form a group as seen
colossal (adj) : massive; gigantic from the earth
comatose (adj) : affected with coma; extremely constituent (n) : citizen; voter
drowsy or sleeping heavily constraint (n) : compulsion
combustible (adj) : liable to catch fire and burn consul (n) : an agent for a foreign government
comely (adj) : pretty; pleasing; handsome appointed to attend to the interests
comestible (n) : eatable of its citizens and commerce
comity (n) : courteousness; civility contaminate (v) : to pollute; to infect
commandeer (v) : confiscate; to take over for one’s contempt (n) : scorn; abhorrence; disdain
own use, without asking contest (n/v) : competition; to challenge
commando : a party of men called out for a context (n) : situation; circumstances
military service contiguous (adj) : adjoining; touching; near next
commemorative (adj): serving to preserve the memory of continence : restraint; self-control; celibacy
commensurate (adv): equal in measure or extent; in due contortion (n) : deformation; a violent twisting
proportion with contraband (adj) : forbidden by law to be imported;
commiserate (v) : to feel or express sympathy or pity for illegally imported; smuggled
commodious (adj): spacious; comfortable; gigantic contrite (adj) : full of guilt and remorse for a
communal (adj) : pertaining to a commune or a wrong doing or sin; action showing
community; owned in common, a sense of guilt or sin
shared controvert (v) : to oppose; to argue against; to
communiqué (n) : an official announcement or bulletin dispute
compact (adj/n) : closely packed or fitted together; contumacious (adj): opposing lawful authority;
concise; small; agreement; contract stubborn; obstinate
compatible (adj) : congruous; harmonious; suitable contumely : insolent or reproachful language or
compatriot : a fellow countryman treatment, disagree
compendium (n) : a shortening or abridgement contusion (n) : a bruise; the state of being bruised
compensatory (adj): giving compensation convalescence (n): gradual recovery of health and
compere : a person who introduces and links strength
the artists in a variety show conventional (adj): customary
compilation (n) : the act of collecting or drawing converge (v) : meet in one point
(data, list, records, speeches etc.) conversant (adv) : familiar
complement (n/v) : companion; counterpart; converse (v/adj) : to speak; reverse
consummate convex (adj) : arched; raised
compromise (n/v) : arbitration; a settlement of differences conveyance (n) : means of transportation
by concession on each side convoke (v) : to call together; to assemble
compunction (n) : regret; shame; conscience convoluted (adj) : difficult to understand; intricate
comrade : a workmate, friend or companion copious (adj) : abundant; plentiful; generous
concede (v) : to admit; to make a concession; to coquette (n) : flirting; dallying
give up cordial (adj) : friendly; sincere; affectionate
conceited : vain, proud cordon (n) : encircled area to prevent or control
concord (n) : harmony; agreement passage into or out of it
condescend (v) : to act graciously to inferiors cormorant (adj) : a member of shiny black web- footed
condiment (n) : a seasoning, esp salt or pepper seabirds, related to the pelicans,
confidant (n) : a close friend; a person confided in that feeds on fish; a glutton
or entrusted with secrets cornice (n) : a projecting moulding along the
conflagration (n) : a war or major destructive top of a building, window, etc
disturbance corollary (n) : an easy inference; a natural result
congeal (v) : to freeze corporeal (adj) : not spiritual; having a substance
congenial (adj) : pleasant; affable; cordial corpulent (adj) : heavy; plump; stout
congenital (adj) : dating from the birth, not correlation (n) : the act of correlating; mutual relation
necessarily hereditary; inborn corrosive (adj) : having the quality of eating away
conglomeration (n): collection; the state of being corrugated (adj) : wrinkled; drawn into folds
conglomerated corsair (n) : a privateering ship; a pirate
conifer (n) : any tree or shrub bearing cones cortège (n) : a procession (esp funeral
conjugal (adj) : pertaining to marriage; marital; the procession)
right of sexual relations with a coruscate (v) : to sparkle; to throw off flashes of
spouse light
connoisseur (n) : a person with a well-informed cosmic (adj) : relating to the cosmos; universal
knowledge and appreciation, esp coterie (n) : a social, literary, or other exclusive
of fine food and wine or of the arts circle
counsellor : a person who gives counsel, an custodian : a guardian or keeper
advisor, a person trained to give cynic (n) : misanthrope; pessimist
guidance on personal, social or cynosure (n) : anything that strongly attracts
psychological problems attention or admiration
countenance (n/v): the face; expression of the face; to czar (also tsar) : the title of the former emperors of
favour; permit or sanction Russia; a person with great authority
counterfeit : made in imitation, not genuine
countermand (v) : to revoke; to give a command in D
opposition to one already given dabbler (n) : take a casual or superficial interest
counterpart (n) : complement; correlative; a or past, move the feet, hands, etc
corresponding or equivalent about in liquid, wet partly or
person or thing intermittently; moisten, stain, splash
coup (n) : revolt; a stroke, clever and daft (adj) : insane; weak-minded
successful stratagem dally (v) : to waste time by idleness or
couple (n/v) : two, a pair; two people considered trifling; to dawdle, delay
as partners; that which joins two dandy (n) : a man who pays great attention to
things together his dress
courier (n) : a state or diplomatic messenger dank (adv/adj) : unpleasantly moist; wet
covenant (adj) : a mutual agreement dappled (adj) : marked with spots or
covert (adj) : concealed; secret dastard (adj) : cowardly
covetous (adj) : inordinately desirous; avaricious daub (n/v) : stain; false pretence; to smear
cower (v) : to crouch or cringe in fear daunt (v/adj) : to frighten; to discourage; boldly
coy (adj) : modest; shy dauntless (adj) : not to be daunted; resolute, bold
cozen (v) : to cheat; to deceive dawdle (v) : to waste time; to act slowly
crabbed (adj) : ill-natured; perverse or irascible deadlock (n) : a case where matters have come
credo (n) : belief; doctrine to a standstill
creed (n) : belief; faith deadpan (n) : an expressionless face
crepuscular (adj) : of or pertaining to twilight; dim, dean : the head of a university faculty or
dark; active or appearing at twilight department or of a medical school
crestfallen (adj) : dejected or cast-down dearth (n) : scarcity; want; lack; shortage
cretin : a person who is deformed and debase (v) : to adulterate; to lower; to make
mentally retarded as the result of poor (of quality) or of less value
thyroid deficiency debauch (v) : to pervert; to corrupt
crevice (n) : a narrow crack or split debenture : written acknowledgement of a debt
cringe (v) : to stoop in a servile manner; to debonair (adj) : elegant; charming; courteous
cower in fear debutant : a male performer making his first
criterion (n) : a means or standard of judging; public appearance
a rule débutante (n) : a young woman making her first
crone (n) : an old woman; an old ewe appearance in society
crotchety (adj) : short-tempered; whimsical decadence (n) : a decline from a superior state
cruet (n) : a small jar or bottle decant (v) : to pour off, leaving sediment
crux (n) : essence; gist; that on which a decelerate : to retard, slow down
decision turns deciduous (adj) : liable to be shed at a certain period
crypt (n) : grave; tomb decipher (v) : decode; interpret; unravel
cubicle (n) : part of a dormitory or other large declivity (n) : a place that slopes downwards
room which is partitioned off décolleté (adj) : a low-cut dress or neckline
cuisine (n) : the art or style or cooking; a decomposition (n): state of decomposing; decay
kitchen or cooking department decorus (adj) : decent; proper
culinary (adj) : pertaining to the kitchen or to decorum (n) : propriety of conduct; decency
cookery decrepit (adj) : worn out by the infirmities of old
cull (v) : to select; to pick out and destroy, age; in the last stage of decay
as inferior or superfluous members defacto (adj) : actual, if not rightful or legally
of a group recognized; in fact, actually
culmination (n) : achievement; completion defalcate (v) : to embezzle money held on trust
culvert (n) : an arched construction or channel default (n) : failure to fulfil a financial obligation;
enclosing a drain or watercourse neglect to do what duty or law
beneath a road requires
cumbersome (adj): unwieldy; awkward; unmanageable defeatist (n/adj) : readiness or inclination to accept,
cupidity (n) : covetousness welcome or help to bring on defeat
curator (n) : a person who has the charge of defection (n) : (an act of) desertion or revolt
anything; a person appointed by defendant : a person sued or accused in a
law as guardian court of law
curmudgeon (n) : a miser; an avaricious, ill-natured deference (n) : courtesy; regard; respect
person defile (v) : to befoul; to spoil; to pollute or
curry (v) : to dress or treat (leather) corrupt; to violate
cursive (adj) : written in a running hand; flowing definitive (adj) : most authoritative; exhaustive
cursory (adj) : running quickly over; superficial deflect (v) : to turn aside; to deviate from a
curtail (v) : to cut short; to abridge correct line or proper course
defray (v) : to pay, settle descant (v) : a discourse or disquisition under
deft (adj) : dexterous several heads
deign (v) : to condescend, stoop descry (v) : to discover by looking
dejure (adj) : by right; rightful desecrate (v) : defile; profane; contaminate
delectable (adj) : delightful; very pleasing desiccate (v) : to preserve by drying; to dry
delegate : an elected representative sent to a desideratum (n) : something desired or much wanted
conference, a member of a desolate (v) : to abandon; to lay waste; to
committee deprive of inhabitants
deleterious (adj/adv): harmful or destructive; poisonous desperado (n) : a desperate person, reckless of
delineate (v) : to represent by a sketch or picture; danger; a wild ruffian
to describe despicable (adj) : contemptible; disgraceful
delinquent (n/adj) : miscreant; hoodlum; derelict; despise (v) : abhor; hate; to look down upon
negligent; slack with contempt
deliquescent (adj): liquefying in the air despondency (n) : lack of hope; dejection
delirium (n) : the state of being delirious, esp despot : an absolute ruler, a tyrant or
through fever oppressor
delirious (adj) : wandering in the mind; despotism (n) : absolute power; tyranny
lightheaded; insane destitute (n/adj) : needy; pathetic; poor; forsaken
deliverance (n) : release; liberation desuetude : disuse; discontinuance
delude (v) : to deceive or cause to accept what desultory (adj) : without rational or logical
is false as true; to mislead connection; loose; hasty
delusion (n) : the act of deluding; a hallucination detached (adj) : aloof; unbiased; impartial
delusive (adj) : tending to delude detainee : a person detained in custody esp.
delve (v) : investigate; explore; examine for political reasons
demagogue (n) : leader of the people detergent (n) : a cleansing agent; that which
demean (v) : to humiliate; to lower in status or cleanses
dignity determinate (n) : determined or limited; fixed
demeanour (n) : behaviour; conduct deterrent (adj) : frightening; hindrance
demesne (n) : a manor-house with lands adjacent detonation : an explosion
to it not let out to tenants detraction (n) : defamation; slander; distraction
demise (n) : death deviate (v) : to diverge; to go or change from
democrat : an advocate of democracy, a the way
member of the Democratic Party devoid (adj) : destitute; wanting; free
demographic (adj): the study of population esp with devolve (v) : to pass on; to roll down
reference to size, density and dexterous (adj) : right-handed; skilful; adroit
distribution diabolic (adj) : extremely cruel; wicked; satanic
demolition (n) : the act of pulling down; destruction diadem (n) : a crown; a jewelled headband, or
demoniac (adj) : person possessed by a demon or the like
evil spirit dialectic (n) : the art of discussing (esp in a debate)
demotic (adj) : to the people diaphanous (adj) : transparent; clear; pellucid
demure (adj) : modest; bashful; shy diatribe (n) : an abusive or bitter harangue;
demurrage (n) : compensation for detention of vituperation
railway wagons (or any other wagon) differential (n/adj) : discriminating; pertaining to
denigrate (v) : malign; defame difference
denizen : an inhabitant (human, animal or diffusion (n) : distribution; scattering abroad
plant) digressive (adj) : departing from the main subject
denotation (n) : that which a word denotes, in dilapidated (adj) : in ruin; in a state of disrepair
contradistinction to that which it dilatoriness : given to or causing delay
connotes dilemma (n) : quandary; predicament; confusion
dénouement : the outcome or result dilettante (n) : a dabbler in art, science or
denounce (v) : to inform against or accuse literature; an amateur
publicly; to condemn diligent (adj) : industrious; hard-working; studious
depilate (v) : to remove the hair from diminution (n) : decrease; reduction
deploy : to spread out and place dimwit : a stupid person
strategically (any forces) dinghy (n) : a small open boat propelled by
deportment (n) : behaviour; conduct; manners oars, sails or an outboard motor
deposition (n) : declaration; testimony dint (n) : effort; strength; power
depravity (n) : a corrupt state of moral character; dipsomaniac (n) : person suffering from dipsomania
wickedness dirge (n) : funeral song or hymn; a slow and
depredation (n) : the act of plundering; hardship mournful piece of music
deranged (adj) : insane; disordered disabuse (v) : to undeceive or set right
derelict (n/adj) : neglectful of duty; person disapprobation (n): disapproval
abandoned by society disarray (n) : lack of array; disorder; untidiness
deride (v) : to laugh at; to mock disavowal (n) : the act denying; the act of
derision (n) : ridicule; mockery disclaiming knowledge of, or
dermatitis (n) : inflammation of the skin connection with
dermatologist (n) : person specialised in the diseases disband (v) : to disperse; to break up(a group,
of skin unit etc)
disburse (v) : to pay out doughty (adj) : strong; brave; able
disclaim (v) : to refuse to acknowledge or be doxology (n) : a hymn ascribing glory to God
responsible for doyen : the most senior or most prominent
discomfit (v) : to defeat or rout of a particular category or body of
disconcert (v) : to throw into confusion; to frustrate people
disconsolate (adj): beyond consolation; very sad or dregs (n) : deposits; residue; the most
disappointed worthless part of anything
discordant (adj) : contradictory; inconsistent; without drivel (n & v) : silly nonsense, twaddle (v. talk
concord or agreement childishly or idiotically)
discrepancy (n) : disagreement; variance of facts or droll (adj) : a jester; laughable; amusing
sentiments dromedary (n) : a thoroughbred camel; a one-
discursive (adj) : circuitous; proceeding from one humped Arabian camel
subject to another with no formal plan drudgery (n) : hard or humble labour;
disgruntle (v) : discontented; disappoint uninteresting toil
disheartened dubious (adj) : doubtful; causing or having doubt
(adj/adv) : depressed; demoralised; deprive duplicity (n) : insincerity; doubleness, esp in
of courage or spirits conduct or intention
dishevelled (adj) : hanging loose; merely untidy dyspepsia (n) : indigestion
disinclination (n) : lack of inclination; unwillingness
disingenuous (adj): not frank or open; crafty, devious E
disinter (v) : to remove from a grave or from the earthy (adj) : crude; unrefined; consisting of
earth; to bring out of obscurity earth (natural)
disinterested (adj): not influenced by private feelings ebb (n/v) : decline; abate; subside
or considerations; impartial eccentricity (n) : the condition of being eccentric;
disjointed (adj) : lacking connection or continuity; peculiarity of behaviour
incoherent ecclesiastic (adj) : relating to the church or to the clergy
dismantle (v) : to pull down; to undo the structure éclat (n) : applause; distinction; showy
dismember (v) : to divide up, break up splendour
disparage (v) : to dishonour by comparison with eclipse (n/v) : an over-shadowing; to excel; to
what is inferior; to dishearten; surpass
belittle; abuse ecologist (n) : a person with knowledge of
disparaging (adv) : speak slightingly of depreciate, environmental studies
bring discredit ecstasy (n) : a state of pleasure or happiness.
disparity (n) : inequality; contrast; variation; rapture; excessive joy
difference edifice (n) : a structure; a building
dispersion (n) : scattering; state of being scattered edify (v) : to improve the mind of; to
dispirited (adj) : dejected; discouraged strengthen spiritually towards faith
disport (v) : to attract; to amuse and holiness
disputatious (adj) : inclined to dispute; controvert educe : to draw out; to extract
disquisition (n) : a carefully or minutely argued eerie (adj) : strangely frightening; weird
examination of a topic effectual (adj) : successful in producing the
dissection (n) : the act of cutting in pieces a plant desired effect
or animal in order to ascertain the effeminate (adj) : womanish; feminine
structure of its parts; anatomy effervesce (v) : to boil up; to bubble and hiss; to
dissolution (n) : the dispersal of an assembly; the behave or talk vivaciously
annulment or ending of a partnership effete (adj) : exhausted; degenerate, decadent
dissuade (v) : discourage; to persuade not to do efficacy (n) : the power of producing an effect;
something; to give advice against effectiveness
distaff (adj) : the female side or branch of a effigy (n) : a likeness or figure of a person
family; the stick that holds the effluvium (n) : a generally unpleasant exhalation;
bunch of flax or wool in spinning disagreeable vapours rising from
diurnal (adj) : belonging to the day time; relating decaying matter
to day time effrontery (n) : impudence; shamelessness
divination (n) : seeking to know the future or effulgent (adj) : shining; radiant; splendid
hidden things by supernatural means effusive (adj) : gushing; expressing emotion in an
docile (adj) : gentle; manageable; obedient; over-demonstrative manner
agreeable egoism (n) : individuality; over-concern for
doomster : a person who predicts disaster one’s own well-being; selfishness
esp. in politics or economics egotism (n) : thinking or speaking too much of
dotage (n) : the childishness of old age; oneself; self-exaltation
excessive fondness; a doting ejaculation (n) : ejection or emission
dotard : a person who is feeble minded, elaboration (n) : complication; the process of
esp. from senility elaborating
dote (v) : to show excessive love elation (n) : exhilaration; joy; thrill
double entendre : a word or phrase open to two eleemosynary (adj): relating to charity or alms giving
interpretations elegiac (adj) : mournful; belonging to elegy
douche (n) : a jet of water directed upon or into elegy (n) : a poem of serious, pensive, or
the body from a pipe, etc reflective mood; a song of mourning
elixir (n) : a liquor once supposed to have entomology (n) : the science of insects
the power of indefinitely prolonging entourage (n) : convoy; staff; attendants
life; anything that invigorates entreat (v) : to ask earnestly; to beg for
ellipsis (n) : a figure of syntax by which a word or entrée (n) : admittance; freedom of access;
words are left out and merely implied introduction or means of access
eloquence (n) : the power of uttering strong entrepreneur : businessman; capitalist
emotion in correct, appropriate, enunciate (v) : to pronounce distinctly; to state
expressive and fluent language; formally
persuasive speech ephemeral (adj) : short-lived; existing only for a day
elucidate (v) : to make clear; to illustrate epigram (n) : a concise and pointed expression;
elusive (adj) : deceptive
an adage; saying
elusory (adj) : evasive; deceitful; tending to elude
epilogue (n) : the concluding section of a book, etc
or cheat
epistle (n) : a letter; message
elysian (adj) : delightful
emaciated (adj/adv): feeble; the condition of being lean; epoch (n) : a point of time fixed or made
deprived of flesh remarkable by some great event
embed (v) : to enclose deeply; to place from which dates are reckoned
emblazon (v) : to glorify, praise or celebrate equable (adj) : uniform, smooth; without wide
embroil (v) : to involve; to throw into confusion variations or extremes; even-
embryonic (adj) : relating to anything in an imperfect tempered
or incomplete state; rudimentary equestrian (adj) : of or relating to horsemanship; on
emend (v) : to make alterations in with a view horse-back
to improving; to remove faults or equipage (n) : something with which one is
blemishes from equipped; a carriage and
emeritus (adj) : honourably discharged from the attendants; retinue
performance of public duty equipoise (n) : a state of balance
emigrate (v) : to move from one country or state equitable (adj) : showing in accordance with equity;
to another as a place of abode; exercised in equity; fair or just
émigré : an émigré, esp. a political exile equivocate (v) : to use equivocal or doubtful words
eminent (adj) : distinguished; conspicuous in order to mislead
emollient (n) : a softening application; making errand (n/adj) : assignment
supple ersatz (n/adj) : artificial; a substitute
emolument (n) : profit arising from employment, escapade (n) : an exciting adventure (mischievous);
such as salary or fees an escape
empirical (adj) : known only by experience;
eschew (v) : to avoid; to refrain; to abstain; to shun
depending on trial or experience
espousal (n) : the act of espousing or betrothing;
empyreal (adj) : relating to the highest or purest
a contract or mutual promise of
region of heaven
emulate (v) : to try to equal or surpass marriage; a formal betrothal
enamored of (adv): in love with; keen on ethereal (adj) : heavenly; celestial; delicate
encomiastic (adj) : bestowing praise ethnic (adj) : concerning nations or races; racial
encomium (n) : high commendation; a eulogy ethnology (n) : the science concerned with the
encompass (v) : to surround or enclose varieties of the human race;
encroachment (n): an act of encroaching; something cultural anthropology
that is taken by encroaching; etymology (n) : the science or investigation of the
infiltration derivation and original signification
endearment (n) : something that increases affection; of words
the act or state of endearing eugenic (adj) : pertaining to genetic improvement
endemic (adj) : prevalent among a people or in a of a race by judicious mating and
district; confined to a particular area helping the better stock to prevail
endive (n) : a salad plant eulogistic (adj) : praiseworthy; full of praise
endorse (v) : approve; support; to assign by euphonious (adj) : pleasant; agreeable; (usu. sound)
writing on the back euthanasia (n) : the act or practice of putting
endue (v) : to supply or provide with painlessly to death, esp in cases of
enervate (v) : to weaken; to tire; fatigue incurable suffering
engender (v) : to produce; to bear; to generate eviscerate (v) : to tear out the viscera or bowels of
enigma (n) : a mysterious person or situation; evolutionists : a person who believes in evolution
something very obscure as explaining the origin of species
enjoin (v) : prohibit; ban; to forbid; to order exalted (adj) : elevated or high; dignified
ennui (n) : boredom; a feeling of weariness or exasperate (v) : to make very angry; to irritate
languor excerpt (n) : selected passage; extract
enroute (adv) : on the road, on the way excruciating (adj) : agonizing; severe; extremely painful
ensconce (v) : to settle comfortably; to hide safely execration (n) : express or feel abhorrence for, curse
ensemble (n) : group; costume; outfit exhume (v) : to take out of the ground or place
entente (n) : an understanding; a friendly of burial
agreement or relationship between exofficio (adj) : by virtue of office or position
states
exorcise (v) :to deliver from the influence of an filch (v) : to steal; to pilfer
evil spirit; to call forth or drive filial (adj) : in the relation of a child; pertaining
away (a spirit) to a son or a daughter
exotic (adj) : foreign; alien; imported; unusual; finesse (n) : skill or expertise; sophisticated
wondrous accomplishment
expatiate : speak or write at length or in detail finicky (adv) : particular about unimportant
expatriate (v) : to send out of one’s country; to matters; fussy
banish or exile; to deprive of finite (adv) : having an end or limit
citizenship firmament (n) : the sky
expedient (n/adj) : aid; beneficial; useful fission (n) : a cleaving; reproduction by dividing
expiate (v) : to make satisfaction or reparation for; fissure (n) : a narrow opening
to make complete atonement for flaccid (adj) : soft and weak
exponent : a person who favours or promotes flagellate (v) : to whip
an idea etc flamboyant (adj) : gorgeously coloured or decorated;
expurgate (v) : to revise (a book, etc) by removing extravagant
offensive, noxious or erroneous flaunt (v) : to display ostentatiously; to show
things; censor; cleanse off; to exhibit
extemporaneous (adj): spontaneous; impromptu flay (v) : to strip off the skin from; to subject
extemporize : compose or produce (music, a to savage criticism; to frighten
speech etc) without preparation, fledgling (n) : a bird just fledged; a very
improvise immature or inexperienced person
extenuating (adj) : palliating; mitigating; moderating flick (n/v) : to lift (with a lash or a finger nail);
extol (v) : to praise highly; to lift up within no time
exude (v) : to discharge through pores; to flippancy (n) : pert fluency of speech
ooze out; to emit; to exhibit floe (n/v) : a field of floating ice
florid (adj) : flushed with red; characterized by
F flowery rhetoric, melodic figures
fabulist : a composer of fables, a liar flotsam (n) : goods lost by shipwreck and found
facile (adj) : easy; simple floating on the sea
facsimile (n) : an exact copy; an accurate flounce : struggle in mud, perform a task
reproduction badly or without knowledge; be out
faction (n/adj) : a rebellious group of one’s depth
factious (adj) : turbulent; discordant; quarrelsome flout (v) : to reject or defy (orders etc.); to mock
factotum (n) : a person employed to do all kinds flux (n) : act of flowing; a flow of matter; a
of work for another state of flow or continuous change
fait accompli (n) : an accomplished fact, a thing foible (n) : a weakness; a penchant; a
already done or done in advance deficiency
fanatic : a person filled with excessive and foment (v) : to foster; to incite; to provoke
often misguided enthusiasm for forage (n/v) : fodder; hunt; search
something forebear (n) : an ancestor; forefather
fastidious (adj) : meticulous; difficult to please forensic (adj) : of or relating to sciences or scientists
fatuous (adj) : foolish; ludicrous connected with legal investigations
fauna (n) : the assemblage of all forms of forego (v) : to go before or precede
animal life of a region or period foster (v/adj) : to bring up or nurse; to promote; to
faux pas (n) : a mistake or blunder, esp an cherish; concerned with fostering
offence against accepted standards foundling (n) : a little child found deserted
of politeness, decorum, etc. frailty (n) : weakness; infirmity
febrile (adj) : feverish; relating to fever franchise (n) : the right to vote; a commercial
fecund (adj) : prolific; fertile; fruitful; productive concession by which a retailer is
feint (n) : a deceptive movement in fencing, granted by a company the
boxing, etc; a false show generally exclusive right of
felicitous (adj) : appropriate retailing its goods or providing its
ferret (n/v) : a half-tamed albino variety of the services in a specified area, with
polecat; to search out or use of the company’s expertise,
investigate indefatigably marketing, trademark, etc
fervid (adj) : having burning desire or emotion; fraught (adv) : laden; full; replete
zealous
fray (v) : to wear off by rubbing
fervor (n) : zeal; enthusiasm; ardour
fester (v) : to rot or putrefy; to suppurate frisk (v) : to leap playfully
fetish (n) : charm; fixation fritter (n/v) : to squander or misuse; a fragment;
fetter (n) : a chain or shackle for the feet; a piece
confinement frolicsome (adj) : merry; sportive
fiasco (n) : failure; debacle frond (n) : a leaf (esp of a palm or fern)
fictitious : imaginary, unreal, not genuine frowzy (adj) : fusty; stuffy or offensive
fidelity (n/adj) : faithfulness; honesty; accurate frugality (n) : economy; thrift
fiduciary (n) : a person who holds anything in trust fulminate (v) : to thunder or make a loud noise; to
fiend (n) : a devil; an addict issue decrees with violence of threats
figment (n) : a fabrication or invention
fulsome (adv) : sickeningly obsequious; Roman show person defending or
nauseating praiseful opposing a cause
furtive (adj) : clandestine; secret gloaming (n) : twilight; dusk
fusillade (n) : a simultaneous or continuous gloat (v) : to eye with intense (usually
discharge of firearms; anything malicious); to exult
assaulting one in a similar way glossary (n) : a collection or list of explanations
fustian (adj) : a kind of coarse, twilled cotton of words
fabric; bombastic glower (v) : to stare frowningly; to scowl
glutinous (adj) : gluey; sticky
G gnarled (adj) : contorted; weather beaten; knotty;
gadfly (n) : a blood sucking fly that distresses twisted
cattle; someone who provokes and gnome (n) : a sprite; a goblin
irritates gnu (n) : a large African antelope
gaff (n) : a hook used especially for landing goad (n/v) : sharp-pointed stick for driving
large fish oxen; to incite; to provoke
galaxy : the disc-shaped system, gobbledygook : pompous or unintelligible jargon
composed of spiralling arms of gorge (n/v) : a ravine; a gluttonous feed
stars, that contains our solar gouge (n/v) : a chisel with a hollow blade for
system near its edge; a splendid cutting grooves or holes; to scoop
assemblage out
gall (v) : irritate; annoy; provoke gourmand (n) : a person who eats greedily
galleon (n) : a large vessel mostly used for
gourmet (n) : a connoisseur of good food and
carrying
wines, an epicure
gambol (v) : to leap; to frisk playfully
gamester (n) : a gambler governess : a woman employed to teach
gamut (n) : a range; scope; extent children in a private household
garble (v) : to misrepresent or falsify by granary (n) : a rich grain-growing region;
suppression and selection; to a storehouse for grain
jumble grandiloquent (adj): speaking, or expressed
gargantuan (adj) : enormous; mammoth; a giant of bombastically; pompous
vast appetite grandiose (adj) : grand or imposing; bombastic;
gargoyle (n) : a spout, projecting from a roof- splendid
gutter; any grotesque figure or person granulate (v/adj) : to form or break into grains or
garnish (n/v) : adornment; to decorate; to adorn small masses
gasconade (n) : a boasting talk; to boast extravagantly graphic (adj) : written, descriptive or diagrammatic
gastronomy (n) : the art or science of good eating representation
gaudy (adj/adv) : showy; ostentatious grapple (v) : struggle; wrestle mentally
gaunt (adj/adv) : skeletal; thin; haggard gratify (v) : to please; to satisfy
gazette (n/adj) : an official newspaper containing gratis (adj/adv) : without payment; for nothing
lists of government appointments,
gratuitous (adj) : done or given for nothing;
legal notices, despatches, etc
voluntary; uncalled for
geisha (n) : a Japanese girl trained to provide
entertainment for men gratuity (n) : a gift (usually money), separate
gendarme (n) : a man-at-arms; a policeman in full from and additional to payment
armour made for a service
generality (n) : a statement having general gravity (n) : weightiness; graveness, solemnity;
application urgency
genteel (adj) : graceful in manners; polite; gregarious (adj) : associating in flocks and herds;
cultured; respectable fond of the company of others;
genuflect (v) : to bend the knee in worship or sociable
respect grimace (n/v) : a distortion of the face, in fun,
genus (n) : a class of objects comprehending disgust, etc; glare; to make a face
several subordinate species grisly (adj) : ghastly; frightful
germane (adj) : appropriate; relevant grotesque (adj) : bizzare; extravagantly formed;
germinal (adj) : pertaining to a germ or rudiment monstrous
germinate (v) : to begin to grow; to cause to sprout grovel (v) : to humble oneself, behave
gerry mander (n/v): to rearrange in the interests of a abjectly, eg. in apologizing; to crawl
particular party or candidate gruelling (adj) : exhausting; strenuous
gesticulate (v) : to make vigorous gestures gruesome (adj) : horrible; grisly; macabre
gibber (n/v) : to utter senseless or inarticulate gubernatorial (adj): relating to a governor
sounds guileless (adj) : without deceit; artless
gibbet (n) : a gallows, esp one on which gumption (n) : boldness; courage; commonsense
criminals were suspended after gunrunner : a person engaged in the illegal
execution sale or importing of firearms
gibe (v) : to scoff; to flout, jeer gustatory (adj) : pertaining to the sense of taste
gibberish : unintelligible or meaningless speech H
gladiator : a man trained to fight with the habiliments (n) : attire; clothing
sword or other weapons at ancient hackles (n) : the hair of a dog’s neck
hades (n) : hell; the abode of the dead hover (v) : hangover; linger; to move about
haggard (adj) : weary; holloweyed and gaunt, from nearby
weariness, hunger etc hoyden (n) : a tomboy
haggle (v) : to bargain hubbub (n) : uproar; riot; a confused sound of
halcyon (adj) : calm; peaceful; happy and free many voices
hale (adj/adv) : robust; sound of body humane (adj) : merciful; kind; benevolent
hallowed (adj) : holy; revered humdrum (adj) : monotonous; dull
hallucination (n) : a perception without objective reality humility (n) : the state or quality of being
hamper (v) : to impede the progress or humble; lowliness; modesty
movement of; to curtail hummock (n) : a hillock
hangar (n) : a large shed or building for aircraft, humus (n) : decomposed organic matter in the
carriages, etc soil
harangue (n/v) : a loud, aggressive speech husbandry (n) : the business of a farmer;
addressed to a crowd economical management
harbor (v) : a refuge or shelter hustings (n) : electioneering
harpings (n) : the foreparts of the wales at the bow hydrophobia (n) : fear of water; rabies
harridan (n) : a sharp-tongued, scolding or hypocritical (adj) : deceptive; phoney; practising
bullying old woman hypocrisy
harry (v) : to plunder; to ravage; to destroy hypnotic : a drug that produces sleep
haughtiness (n) : proudness; arrogance hypsography (n) : the branch of geography dealing
haughty : arrogantly self-admiring and with the measurement and mapping
disdainful of heights above sea-level
haunches (n) : the hip and the buttock taken hysteria (n) : delirium; insanity
together
hawser (n) : a large rope used in tying I
hazardous (adj) : dangerous; perilous ichthyology (n) : the study of fishes
hedonism (n) : a lifestyle devoted to pleasure- iconoclast (n)
seeking; the pursuit of pleasure (adj iconoclastic) : a person who attacks traditional or
heedless (adj/adv): unmindful; reckless; careless established beliefs, principles,
hegira (n) : the flight of Mohammed from ideas, institutions, etc
Mecca; any flight ideation (n) : the power of the mind for forming
heinous (adj) : outrageously wicked; atrocious ideas or images
helmsman : a steersman ideology (n) : way of thinking; doctrine; beliefs
henchman : a trusted supporter or attendant, idyll (n) (adj : idyllic): a short pictorial poem, chiefly on
a squire, a page of honour pastoral subjects
heresy (n) : apostasy; infidelity; dissent igloo (n) : a dome-shaped hut made of
heretic (n) : the upholder of a heresy; a person blocks of hard snow; a hollow in
whose views are at variance with
the snow made by a seal over its
those of the majority
breathing hole in the ice
hermaphrodite (n): a human being, animal or plant
igneous (adj) : of fire; produced by solidification of
with the organs of both sexes
the earth’s internal molten magma
hermetic (adj) : belonging to magic or alchemy,
magical; obscure ignominy (n)
hermetically (adj/adv): closed completely; made airtight (adj : ignominious): humiliation; dishonour; shame;
by melting the glass infamy
hermitage (n) : a hermit’s place or cell; a secluded ignoramus (n) : an ignorant person
abode illimitable (adj) : limitlessly infinite
hibernal (adj) : belonging to winter; wintry imbecile (n)
hibernate (v) : to be inactive; to pass the winter in (n : imbecility) : a foolish, unwise or stupid person;
a dormant state an idiot
hierarchy (n) : a body or organisation classified in imbroglio (n) : an intricate or perplexing situation
successively subordinate grades imbrue (v) : to soak; to drench; to stain or dye
hieroglyphic (n) : writing that is difficult to read immaculate (adj) : perfectly groomed; flawless;
hireling (n) : a hired servant; a mercenary; unstained
a person activated solely by immolate (n) : to offer or kill as a sacrifice
material considerations immune (adj) : inoculated; protected against a
hirsute (adj) : hairy; shaggy; having long, stiffish disease or infection; unresponsive
hairs immutable (adj) : unchangeable
historical (adj) : pertaining to history impale (v) : to pierce with something pointed;
histrionic (adj) : relating to the stage or actors; to fix on a sharp stake thrust
melodramatic through the body
hoax (n) : deceptive trick played maliciously impalpable (adj) : not perceivable or detectable by
or for a joke touch; no capable of being
hogshead (n) : a large cask comprehended or grasped
homage (n) : honour; respect; tribute impassive (adj) : imperturbable; unemotional;
hoodwink (v) : to deceive, cheat having no sensation
hortatory (adj) : inciting; encouraging impeccable (adj) : faultless; without flaw or error;
horticultural (adj) : pertaining to the gardening ideal
hosanna : in shout of adoration impediment (v) : an obstacle; hindrance
hostelry (n) : an inn
impenitent (adj) : not repenting; a hardened sinner incubus (n) : a nightmare; any oppressive
imperious (adj) : domineering, dictatorial; assuming influence
command; haughty inculcate (v) : to instil; to teach
imperturbability (v): not disturbed or agitated; serene incumbent (n) : a person who holds an office;
impervious (adj) : not easily influenced by ideas, binding; obligatory
arguments, etc, or moved or upset incursion (n) : a sudden attack; invasion
impetuous (adj) : hasty; spontaneous without due indefatigable (adj): unflagging; untiring; determined
consideration indemnify (v) : to compensate; to secure (with)
impiety (n) : blasphemy; profanity; disrespect indenture (v) : contract; a written agreement
impinge (v) : infringe; invade; violate between two or more parties, esp
implacable (adj) : incapable of being placated or between an apprentice and an
appeased; inexorable employer
implausible (adj) : inconceivable; incredible; indict (v) : to charge with a crime formally or
unbelievable in writing
implicit (adj) : absolute; definite; unquestionable; indigence (n) : dearth; insufficiency; poverty;
certain destitution
impolitic (adj) : not politic; inexpedient indigenous : native born; originating or
imponderable (adj): not able to be weighed or evaluated produced naturally in a country,
impostor : a person who assumes a false not imported
character or pretends to be indignation (n) : righteous anger at injustice, etc;
someone else feeling caused by an unjustified
impotent (adj) : powerless; helpless; incapable of slight, etc to oneself
having sexual intercourse, owing indiscriminate : haphazard; random; unsystematic
to inability to achieve or maintain indisputable (adj) : beyond doubt or question
an erection indissoluble (adj) : that cannot be broken or
imprecate (v) : to invoke evil upon, to put a curse on dissolved; inseparable; binding
impregnable (adj): that cannot be captured, broken permanently
into or taken by force; strong indite (v) : to compose or write
imprimatur (n) : a licence or permission to print indolence (n) : idleness; inactivity; laziness
a book, etc indomitable : not to be overcome, unconquerable
impromptu (adj) : extemporaneous; improvised; indubitably (adv) : without doubt, certainly
spontaneous; unrehearsed inductive : possessive; introductory
impropriety (n) : mistake; error; blunder; indulgent : lenient; permissive; ready to gratify
unsuitability the wishes of others
improvident (adj) : imprudent; thoughtless; negligent inebriety (n) : drunkenness; intoxication
improvise (v) : to perform extempore; to bring ineffable (adj) : inexpressible; not able to be
about suddenly described, indescribable
inadvertence (n) : negligence; over-sight ineluctable (adj) : not able to be escaped from or
(adv : inadvertently) avoided
inalienable (adj) : not capable of being transferred or inept (adj) : foolish, silly; awkward, clumsy
removed; unchangeable inequity (n) : discrimination; injustice
inarticulate : dumb; speechless; incapable of inert : sluggish; static; chemically inactive
clear and fluent expression inexorable : relentless; unyielding
incandescent : radiant; luminous; fluorescent infamous (adj) : notorious; nefarious; having a very
incantation : a formula of words sung for bad reputation
purposes of enchantment, a magic infantile (adj) : childish; undeveloped
spell; recitation of magic spells inference (n) : conclusion; deduction
incapacitate (v) : to disqualify legally; to disable; to infernal (adj) : hellish; fiendish; abominable
make unfit (for) infidel (n) : agnostic; atheist; unbeliever
incarcerate (v) : to imprison; to confine infinitesimal (adj) : minute; tiny; microscopic
incarnadine (n) : belonging to blood-red; blood- infirmity (n) : illness; ailment; disease
coloured infraction : breach; violation
incendiary (n) : a person who inflames passions or ingénue (n) : an artless, naïve or inexperienced
stirs up trouble; a person who young woman
maliciously sets fire to property inimical (adj) : hostile; unfriendly; unfavourable
incessant (adj) : uninterrupted; continuous inimitable (adj) : incomparable; matchless;
inchoate (adj) : not established; rudimentary; only exceptionally good or remarkable
begun iniquitous (adj) : wicked; evil; sinful
incipient (adj) : beginning; nascent; developing inkling (n) : a slight hint; a clue; an indication
inclement (adj) : severe; stormy; violent; harsh innate (adj) : natural; inborn; native
incongruous (adj) : inconsistent; unsuitable innovation (n) : a thing introduced as a novelty;
inconsequential (adj): unimportant; negligible; trivial introduction
incontrovertible (adj): indisputable; unquestionable innuendo (n) : insinuation; an indirect reference
incorporeal : having no material form or body; or intimation
intangible; spiritual or metaphysical inopportune (adj) : inauspicious; untimely
incorrigible (adj) : beyond correction or reform inordinate (adj) : unrestrained; excessive; immoderate
incredulity (n) : not having belief; expressing inquistor : an official investigator
disbelief; sceptical inscribe : write or crave on stone, metal,
paper, a book etc
inscrutable (adj) : that cannot be scrutinized or irreconcilable (adj): incapable of being brought back to
searched into and understood; a state of friendship or agreement
mysterious, enigmatic irrefragable (adj) : that cannot be refuted;
insensate (adj) : without sensation, inanimate; unanswerable
having little of no good sense irrepressible (adj) : not able or willing to be restrained,
insidious (adj) : cunning and treacherous; subdued
deceitful; covert irreverent (adj) : sacrilegious; disrespectful; not
insinuate (v) : to hint or indirectly suggest; to reverent
intimate irrevocable (adj) : that cannot be recalled or revoked
insolvent (adj) : bankrupt; not able to pay one’s itinerant (adj) : migrant; wandering
debts; destitute itinerary (n) : travel plan; a record of a journey
insouciant (adj) : unconcerned; indifferent; heedless;
apathetic J
insubordinate (adj): refusing to submit to authority; jaded (adj) : worn-out; fatigued; exhausted;
disobedient, rebellious corrupt
insularity (n) : the state of being isolated or janitor : a door keeper, a caretaker of a
remaining aloof building
insuperable (adj) : not capable of being overcome or jargon (n) : terminology of a profession; dialect
surmounted jaunt (n) : an excursion; outing
integrity (n) : honesty; principle; character jaunty (adj) : carefree; jovial; high-spirited
integument (n) : an external covering jejune (adj) : immature, callow
intellect (n) : the thinking principle; intelligence; jeopardy (n) : risk; threat; danger
brain jeremiad (n) : a tale of grief, a doleful story
intelligentsia (n) : the intellectual or cultured classes jester : a professional joker or ‘fool’ at a
inter (v) : to bury medieval court
interdict (v) : to prohibit; to forbid jingoism (n) : chauvinism; fanaticism
interim (n) : meantime; provisional; temporary jocose (adj) : merry; full of jokes
interlocutor : a person who takes part in a jocular : merry, fond of joking
dialogue or conversation jostle (v) : to force, push or bump
interloper (n) : a person who meddles in another’s jovial (adj) : cheerful; lively; joyous
affairs, esp for profit; an intruder; juggernaut (n) : a relentless destroying force
a trespasser junket (n) : a picnic; an outing
internecine (adj) : deadly; murderous junta (n) : a government formed by a small
interpolate (v) : to tamper with or to corrupt by group of military officers
spurious insertions jurisprudence (n) : knowledge of law; the science or
intimidation (n) : the act of intimidating; the use of philosophy of law
violence or threats; to frighten jurist : an expert in law, a legal writer
intone : recite with prolonged sounds, utter juxtapose : to place side by side
with a particular tone
intrinsic (adj) : genuine; inherent K
introspection (n) : the observation and analysis of the ken (n) : range of sight or knowledge
processes of one’s own mind kindle (v) : to inflame (eg the passions); to
introvert : a person predominantly concerned provoke, incite
with his or own thoughts and kingpin : a main or large bolt in a central
feelings rather than with external position; the most important
things person in an organisaiton
intuition (n) : the power of the mind by which it kleptomaniac (n) : a person with a mania for stealing
perceives the truth of things knavery (n) : dishonesty; miscreants
without reasoning or analysis; knead : to work and press together into a
instinct mass; to massage
inured (adj) : accustomed; habituated; hardened knell (n) : the sound of a bell, especially at a
inveigle : entice; wheedle; to persuade by death or funeral
cajolery
inveterate : chronic; deep-rooted L
invidious : malicious; likely to incur or provoke labyrinth (n) : an arrangement of tortuous paths
ill-will or resentment; likely to excite or alleys in which it is difficult to
envy find the way out; amaze
inviolability (n) : the quality of being inviolable lacerate (v) : cut; wounded; mutilated
invoke : to call upon earnestly or solemnly; lachrymose (adj) : tearful; weepy; pathetic
to address in prayer lackadaisical (adj): languid and ineffectual; indolent;
invulnerable (adj) : indomitable; unconquerable; that lazy; lethargic
cannot be wounded lackey (n) : attendant; hireling; minion
iota : bit; fraction lacklustre (adj) : dull; lifeless; apathetic
irate (adj) : angry; enraged laconic (adj) : sententiously brief; concise
iridescent (adj) : glittering with changing colours; laggard (adj) : a person who lags behind
coloured like the rainbow lambent (adj) : flickering; softly radiant, glowing
irony (n) (adj : ironic): conveyance of meaning by words languid (adj) : lethargic; spiritless; flagging
whose literal meaning is the lapidary : a cutter of stones, esp of gem-
opposite; sarcasm stones; an expert of gems
largesse (n) : generosity; distribution of gifts lurid (adj) : sensational; shocking; gruesome;
lascivious (adj) : lecherous; wanton; obscene; horrifying
indecent luscious (adj) : delicious; appetizing; exceedingly
lassitude (n) : exhaustion; fatigue; weariness sweet
laudable (adj) : praiseworthy; commendable; lustre (n) : shine; brightness; gloss
admirable luxuriant (adj) : exuberant in growth; overabundant;
lave (v) : to wash; to bathe profuse
lax (adj) : negligent; careless; derelict
lecherous (adj) : lustful; sensual M
lectern (n) : a reading-desk macabre (adj) : gruesome; ghastly; grotesque
leeway (n) : scope; range; freedom; liberty maelstrom : a particularly powerful whirlpool;
legatee : the recipient of a legacy a confused or disordered state of
legend (n) : code; key; inscription; slogan affairs; turmoil
legerdemain (n) : trickery; sleight-of-hand; deceit maim (v) : injure; wound; lacerate; mutilate;
lesion (n) : an injury or wound; an abnormal disable
change in the structure of body malaise (n) : despondency; uneasiness; weakness
tissue caused by disease or injury malapropism (n) : the misapplication of words without
lewd (adj) : indecent; obscene; sensual; mispronunciation
lustful; unchaste malediction (n) : a curse; a calling down of evil;
lexicographer (n) : a person who writes in a system in anathema
which each sign represents a word; malefactor (n) : a criminal; an evil-doer; a lawbreaker
a person who writes a dictionary malevolent (adj) : wishing evil; malignant; venomous;
liaison (n) : union; connection; a secret or illicit ill disposed towards others
love affair malicious (adj) : bearing ill-will or spite; motivated
libation (n) : the pouring forth of wine or other by hatred or ill-will
liquid in honour of a god or goddess malignant (adj) : harmful; malicious; venomous; baleful
libelous (adj) : defamatory; maligning malingerer (n) : a person who pretends or feigns
licentious (adj) : promiscuous; indulging in excessive sickness in order to avoid duty or
freedom work
lieu (n) : used chiefly in the phrase in lieu malleable (adj) : mouldable; ductile; able to be
of; in place of, substitute beaten, rolled, etc into a new shape
lilliputian (adj) : a midget manacle (v) : handcuffed; shackled
limber (adj) : agile; flexible; supple mangy (adj) : dirty; shabby; ragged
limbo (n) : an uncertain or intermediate state; maniacal (adj) : insane; frenzied; crazed; mad
prison manifesto (n) : public written declaration of the
limn (v) : to draw intentions, opinions or motives of
lineage (n) : ancestry; family tree a sovereign or of party or body
lineaments (n) : distinguishing features especially mannequin : a dummy figure, as used for
on the face display in shop windows, etc;
linguistic (adj) : relating to languages or knowledge a person, usually a woman,
or the study of languages employed to wear and display
lionize (v) : to treat as a hero or celebrity clothes;
liquidate (v) : to clear off; to dispose off; to kill manumit (v) : to release from slavery; to set free
lissom (adj) : flexible; nimble; lithe marauder (n) : outlaw; pirate; looter
listless (adj) : indolent; languid; unconcerned; mariner : a sailor
uninterested marsupial (n) : a member of an order of mammals
literati : men of letters, the learned class or animals whose young are born
lithe (adj) : flexible; supple; limber in a very imperfect state and are
litigant : engaged in a lawsuit usually carried in a pouch by the
litotes (n) : meiosis or understatement female
livid (adj) : enraged; furious; extremely angry martial (adj) : belonging to the military; warlike
loathe (v) : hate; abhor; detest; dislike intensely masochist (n) : pleasure, especially sexual
lofty (adj) : very high in position, character, pleasure, in being dominated or
manner or diction; high-minded; treated cruelly
elevated masticate (v) : to chew; to knead mechanically, as
loiter (v) : to linger; to dawdle in rubber manufacture
loll (v) : to lie lazily about, to lounge or sprawl matriarch : a women who is the head of the
longevity (n) : great length of life family
lope (v) : to run with a long stride; to leap maudlin (adj) : weakly sentimental; lachrymose;
loquacious (adj) : talkative; verbose; garrulous weeping
lothario : a seducer; a rake maunder (v) : to mutter; to grumble; to talk in a
lout (n) : an ill-mannered, aggressive or rambling, inconclusive way, to drivel
awkward man or youth; an idiot mausoleum (n) : a magnificent tomb or monument;
lubricity (n) : slipperiness; smoothness; instability a gloomy or spiritless place
lucent (adj) : shining; bright mawkish (adj) : insipid; maudlin; sentimental;
lucrative (adj) : profitable; prosperous; well-paying loathsome, disgusting
lucre (n) : riches; resources; funds; wealth maxim (n) : a general principle, serving as
ludicrous (adj) : absurd; ridiculous; laughable a rule or guide; a pithy saying;
lupine (adj) : of a wolf; like a wolf; wolfish a proverb; an adage
mayhem (n) : malicious damage; maiming miscreant (n) : criminal; rogue; scoundrel; villain
meddlesome (adj): intrusive; annoying; bothersome misdemeanour (n): bad conduct; a misdeed
meditation (n) : the act of meditating; deep misgivings (n) : doubt; suspicion; apprehension;
thought; serious continuous a mistrust
contemplation misnomer (n) : a misnaming; a wrong or
medley (n) : a mingled and confused mass; unsuitable name
combination; mixture misogamist (n) : one who hates marriage
mellifluous (adj) : melodic; harmonious; smooth misogynist (n) : one who hates women
memento : something kept or given as a mite (n) : a small contribution proportionate
reminder; remembrance; token to one’s means; a very small amount
memoir : a written record set down as mitigate (v) : to lessen the severity, violence or
material for history or biography evil of; to temper; to mollify,
memorialize (v) : to present a memorial to; to appease; to allay
commemorate mnemonic (adj) : a device to help memory; the art of
ménage (n) : household; the management of a assisting memory
house
mode (n) : system; practice; technique
mendacious (adj) : inclined to be untruthful; lying
modicum (n) : a small quantity; little
mendicant (n) : a beggar; a friar who depends on
modulation (n) : adjustment; change; modification
alms
mercantile (adj) : relating to merchants; having to do moghul (n) : an influential person, a magnate
with trade; commercial; mercenary mollify (v) : to soften; to assuage; to appease;
mercenary (adj) : greedy; avaricious; hired for to soothe
mollycoddle (v) : to coddle; an effeminate man
money; sold or done for money
molt (v) : to cast or shed (feathers, skin, etc)
meretricious (adj) : flashy; gaudy; artificial
in the process of renewal.
metamorphosis (n): change; transformation
momentous (adj) : of great consequence; significant;
metaphysical (adj) : intellectual study; abstract;
important
theoretical monastic (adj) : recluse; solitary; relating to
(n metaphysics) masteries, monks, or nuns
mete (v) : apportion; measure; dispense mongrel : an animal, especially a dog, of a
meteoric (adj) : remarkably rapid; transiently mixed breed
flashing like a meteor monolithic (adj) : of a single block of stone; massive
methodical (adj) : systematic; uniform and undifferentiated; relating to a
meticulous (adj) : scrupulously careful; overcareful monolith
mettle (n) : temperament; courage; spirit monologue : a soliloquy or speech by one
miasma (n) : unwholesome air or atmosphere; person, or a composition intended
foul vapours, eg from rotting matter to be spoken by one person
microcosm (n) : an object, situation, etc contained monotheism (n) : the belief in only one God
within another and displaying all its monotony (n) : routine; tedious sameness or lack
characteristics on a smaller scale, of variety; boredom
a miniature version moor (n) : a wide expanse of uncultivated
mien (n) : bearing; facial expression; look, ground; field
manner morality : morals; principles; standards; the
migrant (adj) : a person or animal that migrates or doctrine of actions as right or wrong
is migrating morbid (adj) : sickly; gruesome; ghastly;
militate (v) : to contend; to fight for a cause unwholesome
millennium : a thousand years; the thousand morganatic (adj) : relating to a marriage between
years after the second coming of people of unequal rank
Christ morose (adj) : gloomy; sullen; melancholy
milliner : a person who makes or sells mortician (n) : an undertaker
women’s hats mosaic : anything composed by the piecing
minaret (n) : a mosque tower, from which the together of different things; the
call to prayer is given fitting together in a design of small
minatory (adj) : threatening pieces of coloured marble, glass, etc
mincing (adj) : not speaking frankly or openly; mote (n) : a particle of dust; anything very small
speaking or walking with affected motif : theme; concept; subject
nicety; cut into small pieces motley (adj) : mixed; variegated; multicoloured
minstrel : a person who entertains patrons mountebank (n) : a charlatan; a buffoon; a quack
seller of remedies, etc
with singing, buffoonery, etc
muddle (v) : to confuse; to mix up, fail to
minutiae (n) : minute particulars or details
distinguish between
misadventure (n) : misfortune; mishap; bad luck
muggy : humid; sultry
misalliance : an unsuitable alliance mugwump (n) : a person of great importance, or
misanthrope (n) : a hater of mankind, someone who one who thinks himself or herself
distrusts everyone else to be so
miscegenation (n): inter-breeding, intermarriage or mulish : stubborn
sexual intercourse between multifarious (adj) : various; multiple; diverse; many-
different races; mixing of race faceted
misconstrue : to interpret wrongly; misunderstand; multilingual (adj) : of many languages; speaking
confuse several languages
murky (adj) : nebulous; obscure; cloudy; foggy oblique (adj) : not straightforward; indirect; slant;
murrain (n) : a cattle-plague; a pestilence inclined
musky (adj) : having the odour of musk obloquy (n) : disgrace; humiliation; shame
muster (v) : to gather; to collect obscure (adj) : not easily understood; not clear or
musty (adj) : deteriorated from disuse; spoiled perspicuous; unknown; unfamiliar
by damp; stale; stuffy obsequious (adj) : fawning; servile
mutable (adj) : fickle, inconstant; variable; subject obsequy : funeral rites and solemnities
to change obsolete (adj)
mutinous (adj) : rebellious, unsubmissive; ready or (n : obsolescence): antiquated; outdated
inclined to mutiny obstetrician (n) : a man or woman skilled in practising,
myopic (adj) : short-sighted or qualified to practise, obstetrics
myriad (n) : any immense number; abundance obstreperous (adj): unruly; noisy; clamorous; making a
loud noise
N occident (n)
narcotic : a substance including drowsiness, (adj : occidental) : the quarter of the sky where the
sleep, stupor, or insensibility sun, stars and planets set
natation (n) : swimming occlude (v) : to stop or cover (a passage, cavity
nauseate (v) : to feel nausea or disgust; to feel or opening); to cut or shut off
sick; loathe oculist (n)
nautical (adj) : relating to navigation, or to ships (adj : ocular) : a specialist in diseases and
and sailors defects of the eye, an ophthalmologist
nebulous (adj) : unclear; ambiguous; vague; odoriferous (adj) : emitting a smell
cloudy; hazy odyssey (n) : a long wandering, or a tale of
necromancy : the art of revealing future events wandering
by calling up and questioning the offal (n) : waste or rejected parts, especially
spirits of the dead; enchantment; of a carcase
sorcery officious (adj) : too forward in offering unwelcome
nemesis (n) : punishment; adversary or unwanted services; intermeddling
neologism (n) : a new word, phrase or doctrine ogle (v) : to stare greedily; to eye
neophyte (n) : a novice in a religious order; impertinently or lecherously
a newly ordained priest olfactory (adj) : pertaining to or used in, smelling
nestle : to lie or press close; to cuddle oligarchy : government by a small exclusive
nexus (n) : connection; link class; a small body of men who
niche : a position in a field; a situation, have the supreme power of a state
place or condition appropriate for in their hands
a person or thing omnipresent (adj): present everywhere at the same
niggardly (adj) : miserly; stingy time
noctambulism : a sleep walker omniscient (adj) : all knowing; all-seeing
nocturnal : belonging to the night; happening, onomatopoeia (n): the formation of a word in imitation
done, or active by night of the sound of the thing meant
nomenclature (n) : a system of names; terminology opalescent (adj) : of milky iridescence
nominal (adj) : formal; paltry; small opprobrious (n) : reproachful, insulting or abusive;
nonage (n) : immaturity; legal infancy, minority infamous, disgraceful
nonentity (n) : a person or thing of no importance; optometrist (n) : an ophthalmic optician; a person
a thing which does not exist qualified to practise optometry
nonplus (v) : to perplex completely, make opus (n) : composition; creation; production;
uncertain what to say or do work
nosegay (n) : a bunch of fragrant flowers; oracle (n) : revelator; prophet; a medium
a bouquet progeny of divine revelation
notarize : to attest, to authenticate by a notary ordinance (n) : regulation; a bye-law; that which is
noxious (adj) : poisonous; unwholesome; harmful ordained by authority
nubile (adj) : marriageable; sexually mature; orientation (n) : the act of orientating; familiarising;
sexually attractive introduction
nullify (n) : to make null; to annul; to make orifice (n) : a mouth-like opening
void or of no force osmosis : any process by which something is
numismatist (n) : one who has a collection of coins acquired by absorption
or medals; relating to money, coins ornate (adj) : decorated; adorned; fancy
or medals ornithologist : an expert in the study of birds
nuptial (adj) : relating to marriage; conjugal orotund (adj) : full, round or sonorous; grandiloquent
nurture (v) : to educate; to bring up; to educate orthography (n) : the art or practice of spelling words
nutrient (adj) : nourishing; feeding correctly
oscillate (v) : to vary between certain limits; to
O fluctuate; vibrate; to swing to and
obeisance (n) : homage; reverence; respect fro like a pendulum
obituary : an announcement of someone’s ostensible (adj) : supposed; seeming, our outwardly
death apparent
objurgate (v) : to chide; to scold ostentatious (adj) : pretentious; showy
oblations : anything offered in worship; an
offering generally
ostracise : to exclude from society or from penitentiary (n) : penal and reformatory; relating to
one’s social group; to banish; to penance
cast out pennant (n) : banner; a long narrow flag;
oust (v) : expel; remove; dismiss a signalling or identifying flag
overt (adj) : open to view, not concealed; pensive (adj) : expressing thoughtfulness with
evident; apparent; clear sadness; meditative
overweening (adj): arrogant, conceited; inflated, perambulate : walk through
excessive percussion (n) : striking; impact
ovine (adj) : sheep-like; relating to sheep perdition : utter loss or ruin; hell
ovoid (adj) : egg-shaped peremptory (adj) : final; admitting no refusal or denial
peregrination (n) : travelling about; wandering;
P a sojourn abroad
pachyderm (n) : a thick skinned animal peremptory (adj) : final; ultimate; arrogantly
pacifist (n/adj) : a person who is opposed to war commanding
paean (n) : a song of thanksgiving or triumph perennial (adj) : growing constantly; perpetual;
pageant (n) : ceremony; extravaganza; parade; undying; continual
procession peripatetic (adj) : walking about; itinerant
palaeontology (n) : the study of fossils periphrasis (n) : circumlocution; round-about
palatable (adj/adv): appetizing; mouth-watering; delicious expression
palaver (n/v) : a talk or discussion; idle copious peritrich (n) : a bacterium bearing a ring of cilia
talk around the body
palliate (v) : justify; mitigate; alleviate; reduce perlustrate (v) : to traverse and inspect
pallid (adj) : pale; tedious; dull; wan permeate (v) : to pass through the pores of; to
palpable (adj) : noticeable; apparent; perceptible penetrate; to pervade
palpitate (v) : to beat rapidly; to pulsate; to pump; pernicious (adj) : deadly; detrimental; destructive;
to throb highly injurious
panacea (n) : a cure for all things pernod (n) : an alcoholic drink flavoured with
panegyric (n) : a eulogy; laudation aniseed
panjandrum (n) : an imaginary figure of great power perpetrate (v) : to commit; to execute
and self-importance persiflage (n) : banter; flippancy
panorama (n) : tableau; perspective; a wide or personable (adj) : of good appearance, attractive;
complete view easy to get on with, likeable; friendly
papyrus (n) : the paper-reed persona muta (n) : a character in an opera who neither
paragon (n) : a model of perfection or supreme speaks nor sings
excellence persona non grata: a person who is not acceptable or
parameter (n) : limit; boundary; demarcation disliked
paraphernalia (n) : belongings; baggage; equipment pertinacious (adj) : thoroughly tenacious; holding
paregoric (n) : a medicine that soothes pain obstinately to an opinion or a purpose
parlance (n) : speaking; conversation pertinent (adj) : related; appropriate; suitable; fitting
paroxysm (n) : a fit of acute pain; any sudden pervade (v) : to pass through; to diffuse; to
violent action; a fit of passion, permeate
laughter, coughing etc pesade (n) : a dressage manoeuvre in which a
parricide (n) : the murder of a parent or near horse rears up on its hind legs
relative without forward movement
partisan (adj) : biased; prejudiced; adherence; pestilential (adj) : of the nature of pestilence;
partial destructive; pestering
parturition (n) : the act of giving birth phenobarbitone (n): a sedative and hypnotic drug
parvenu (n) : someone newly risen into wealth, phial (n) : a container for liquids
notice or power; an upstart philander (v) : to flirt or have casual affairs with
pathology (n) : the study of diseases or of the women
changes in tissues or organs that philology (n) : the science of language especially
are associated with disease of its historical development,
patois (n) : regional spoken dialect; jargon historical linguistics
patrimony (n) : an inheritance from a father or physiognomy (n) : the art of judging character from
from ancestors appearance; the general
pedagogue (n) : a teacher; a pedant appearance of anything
pedant (n) : intellectual; scholar; a pedagogue; physiological (adj): relating to the science of processes
a person who values academic of life in animals and plants
learning too highly piebald (adj) : black and white in patches;
pedestal (n) : the support of a column, statue, heterogeneous
vase etc pillage (n/v) : loot; rob; to plunder
paediatrician (n) : an expert in the treatment of pinnacle (n) : the highest point; summit; acme
children’s diseases piquant (adj) : pungent; spicy; appetizing; stimulating
pediment (n) : a triangular structure crowning the piscatorial (adj) : fishing; relating to fish or fishermen
front of a building pithy (adj) : sententious and masterful; concise
pejorative (adj) : degrading; derogatory; disparaging plagiarize (v) : to steal from (the writings or ideas
pellucid (adj) : perfectly clear; transparent of another); forge; lift
pendent (adj) : hanging; drooping
plangent (adj) : resounding, resonant; resounding preclude (v) : to hinder by anticipation,
mournfully counteract in advance; to prevent;
platonic (adj) : spiritual; idealistic; incorporeal to stop; to curb; to obstruct
plauditory (adj) : applaudable; praise bestowed, precocious (adj) : strikingly advanced or mature in
enthusiastic approval mental development, speech,
plebiscite (n) : an ascertainment of general social behaviour, etc
opinion on any matter; a direct predatory (adj) : killing and feeding on others
vote of the whole nation or of the predecessor (n) : the person who preceded one in
people on a special point one’s job or position
plenipotentiary (n): having or conferring full powers; predilection (n) : preference or special liking;
person invested with full powers fondness; attraction
plenitude (n) : fullness; completeness; plentifulness pre-eminent (adj) : distinguished; notable; prominent
podiatrist (n) : a specialist in the treatment of the premonition (n) : a feeling that something is going to
disorders of the foot happen before it actually does
podium (n) : a platform; dais preponderance (n): excess in number; weighing more
poignant (adj) : intense; touching; pathetic; stinging preponderate (v) : to ponder beforehand
polemic (n) : argument; controversy preposterous (adj): utterly absurd; contrary to the
politic (adv) : judicious; prudent; discreet order of nature or reason
polity (n) : political organisation; a body of prerogative (n) : a privilege that is exclusive to a
people organised under a system person, group, etc; a right arising
of government out of one’s rank, position or office
polygamist (n) : one who marries more than one prescience (n) : fore-knowledge; foresight
person at a time presumptuous (adj): tending to presume; impertinently
polyglot (n/adj) : related to speaking or writing many bold
pretentious (adj) : pompous; showy, ostentatious;
languages; one who speaks or
snobbish
writes many languages
preternatural (adj): abnormal; out of the ordinary
ponderous (adj) : heavy; weighty; bulky
course of nature
pontificate : pretend to be infallible, be primogeniture (n) : the right of inheritance of the first-
pompously dogmatic born child; the circumstance of
porphyry (n) : a very hard, variegated rock of a being first-born
purple and white colour, used in prima-donna (n) : a person, especially a woman,
sculpture who is temperamental, over-
portend (v) : to warn of as something to come; sensitive and hard to please
to forecast; to indicate privation (n) : destitution; poverty; the state of
portentous (adj) : ominous; prodigious; threatening being deprived of something
posthumous (adj) : born after the father’s death; privy (n) : familiar; inmate; a lavatory,
published after the author’s or especially in its own shed or outhouse
composer’s death probation (n) : a preliminary time to allow
post prandial (adj): after dinner suitability or unsuitability; testing
potentate (n) : a powerful ruler; a monarch proboscis (n) : a trunk or long snout; a trunk-like
potpourri (n) : a fragrant mixture of dried petals, process such as the suctorial
leaves etc used to scent a room; mouth-parts of some insects;
a literary production of a nose
uncomposed parts; a miscellany prodigious (adj) : more than usually large in size or
poultice (n) : a hot semi-liquid mixture spread degree
on a bandage and applied to the profligate (adj) : dissolute; lascivious; prodigal;
skin to reduce inflammation extravagant
practicable (adj) : capable of being done; carried out progenitor (n) : an ancestor; a forefather
or accomplished, feasible prognathous (adj): with a projecting jaw
pragmatic (adj) : fundamental; basic; realistic; sensible prognosis (n) : a forecasting or forecast, especially
precedence (n) : the act of going before in time; of the course of a disease
priority; the fact of being before in prognosticate (v) : to foretell; to indicate the coming of
rank proletariat (n) : the poorest labouring class; the
preceptor : a teacher or instructor
wage-earning class
preciosity (n) : fastidious over-refinement
precipice (n) : a high vertical or nearly vertical promiscuous (adj): abandoned; careless; confusedly
cliff or rock face or indiscriminately mixed
precipitate (v/n/adj): to accelerate; to hurl headlong; promontory (n) : a high cape; a projection, ridge or
abrupt; hasty; hurried; a substance eminence
separated from solution or promulgate (v) : to announce publicly; to put into
suspension, falling and settling at effect by proclamation; to make
the bottom as a solid deposit widely known
precipitation (n) : the amount of rainfall; impulsive propagate (v) : to breed; to multiply; to spread
action; great hurry from one to another
precipitous (adj) : steep; sheer propellant (n) : something which propels
précis (n) : an abstract; a summary propinquity (n) : nearness
precise (adj) : definite; accurate; exact propitiate (v) : appease; pacify; to render favourable
propitious (adj) : favourable; auspicious Q
propulsive (adj) : of a force causing forward movement quack (n) : a charlatan; someone who claims,
prorogue (v) : to postpone; to prolong and practices under the pretence
proscenium (n) : the front part of the stage of having, knowledge and skill that
proselytize (v) : to convert he or she does not possess
prosody (n) : the study of versification quadruped (n) : a four-footed animal
protean (adj) : readily assuming different shapes; quaff (v) : to drink or drain in large draughts;
variable; inconstant to drink deeply
protégé : a pupil; a ward; someone under quagmire (n) : a difficult problematic situation
the protection or patronage of qualms (n) : a misgiving; apprehension;
another person reservation
protrude (v) : to thrust or push out or forward; to quandary (n) : dilemma; a state of perplexity;
obtrude; to extend confusion
provident (adj) : farsighted; thoughtful; prudent; quarry (n) : a hunted animal; a hunter’s heap
thrifty of dead game
provisional (adj) : conditional; temporary; adopted on quay (n) : a landing place; a wharf for the
the understanding that it may be loading or unloading of vessels;
changed later a dock
proviso (n) : any condition; clauses; a provision quibble (v) : argument on unimportant details;
or condition in a deed or other to raise irrelevant or petty objections
writing quiescent (adj) : inactive; resting; still
provoke (v) : to excite with anger; to irritate; to incite quip (n) : a short, clever remark; a wisecrack;
prurient (adj) : having an unhealthy interest in a fanciful jest or action
sexual matters; arousing sexual quizzical (adj) : mocking; amusing; comical
interest quorum (n) : a minimum number of persons
psyche (n) : nature; the soul, spirit or mind necessary for transaction of
psychiatrist (n) : a person who is medically qualified business in any body
to treat diseases of the mind
psychopathic (adj): pertaining to psychopathy or the R
behaviour or condition of a rabbi : a Jewish scholar or teacher
psychopath raconteur (n) : a teller of anecdotes
psychosis (n) : a serious mental disorder; mental ragamuffin (n) : a ragged, disreputable child
confusion and a lack of insight on raillery (n) : mockery; banter; teasing
the part of the patient into his or raiment (n) : clothing; apparel; attire
her condition rakish (adj) : lascivious; lively
pueblo (n) : a communal habitation of the rampant (adj) : prevailing; widespread; excessive;
Indians of New Mexico, etc uncontrollable; epidemic
puerile (adj) : childish; juvenile; pertaining to rapacious (adj) : living by taking prey; grasping;
children greedy for gain
pugilist (n) : a boxer rapprochement (n): drawing together; establishment or
pugnacious (adj) : given to fighting; combative; renewal of cordial relations
belligerent; quarrelsome
ratiocination (n) : reasoning
puissant (adj) : powerful
pulchritude (n) : beauty raucous (adj)
pulmonary (adj) : of the lungs or respiratory cavity; (n: raucousness) : hoarse, harsh; loud
leading to or from the lungs raunchy (adj) : coarsely or openly sexual; lewd
pulsate (v) : to beat, throb; to change realm (n) : kingdom; domain; province, region
repeatedly in force or intensity rebuff (n) : snub; unexpected refusal or rejection
pummel (v) : to beat, pound or thump, rebuke (v) : to reprove sternly; to admonish
especially with the fists rebut (v) : to disprove; to refute; to invalidate
punctilious (adj) : scrupulous and exact; attentive to recapitulate (v) : to go over again the chief points of
etiquette and punctilios (n : recapitulation)
pungency (n) : bitter; acrid; keenly touching the mind recidivism (n)
puny (adj) : trivial; petty (adj : recidivistic) : the habit of relapsing into crime
purblind (adj) : nearly blind; dim-sighted recluse (n)
purge (n/v) : to purify; to empty the bowels (adj : reclusive) : a religious devotee who lives shut
frequently up in a cell; a hermit; a person who
purloin (v) : to lift; to snatch; to steal lives retired from the world
purveyor (n) : someone whose business is to recondite (adj) : abstruse; profound; obscure; hidden
provide food or meals (n : reconditeness)
putative (adj) : reputed reconnoiter : make a reconnaissance of (an area,
putrid (adj) : rotten; wretchedly bad; stinking enemy, position, etc)
pyre (n) : a pile of combustible material for recreant (n) : an apostate; a craven; a traitor
burning a dead body redress (n) : compensation; relief; reparation
pyromaniac (n/adj): one who has obsessive urge to set referendum (n) : the principle or practice of
on fire things submitting a question directly to
the vote of the entire electorate
refractory (adj) : unruly; unmanageable S
(adv : refractorily) sagacious (adj)
refulgent (adj) (n : sagacity) : clever; cunning; discerning and
(n : refulgence) : radiant; beaming; glittering judicious; wise
refurbish (v) : to renovate; to brighten up salacious (adj)
regal (adj) (n : salaciousness): lustful; lecherous; arousing lustful
(adv : regally) : kingly; royal; dignified or lecherous feelings
regatta (n) : a yacht or boat race meeting salvage (v) : to recover; to save from danger of
regicide (n) : the killing or killer of a king loss or destruction
regimen (n) : government; administration; course sapient (adj) : wise; learned; sagacious
of treatment, such as a prescribed sardonic (adj) : heartless or bitter; mockingly scornful
combination of diet, drugs etc sartorial (adj) : of or relating to a tailor, tailoring, dress
rehash (v) : something made up of materials saturnine (adj) : gloomy; phlegmatic; grave
formerly used savoir-faire (n) : the faculty of knowing just what to
reimburse (v) : to repay; to pay an equivalent to do and how to do it; tact
for loss or expense scourge (n) : a cause of widespread affliction;
(n : reimbursement) calamity
reiterate (v) scrupulous (adj) : careful; meticulous; captious
(n : reiteration) : to repeat again and again secede (v)
rejuvenate (v) (n : secession) : to withdraw
(n : rejuvenation) : to restore to activity; to make seclusion (n)
young again (adj : secluded) : the act of being secluded;
relinquish (v) : to let go; to give up isolation; solitude
reminiscence (n) : recollection; an account of something semantics (n)
remembered; the recurrence to the (adj : semantic) : the area of linguistics dealing with
mind of the past the meaning of words
(adj : reminiscent) sensuous (adj)
repatriate : return to one’s own native land (n : sensuousness): alive to the pleasures of sensation;
repertoire (n) : a performer’s or company’s repertory pertaining to the senses without
replete (adj) implication of lasciviousness
(n : repletion) : filled; filled to satiety; full sententious (adj) : abounding in maxims; full of
meaning; aphoristic
reprehensible (adj): blameworthy; disgraceful; shameful
(n : sententiousness)
(n : reprehend)
sequacious (adj) : ready to follow a leader or
repugnance (n) : aversion; inconsistency
authority; compliant
(adj : repugnant) sequester (v) : to confiscate; to seclude; to set apart
rescind (v) serendipity (n) : fortune; coincidence; luck; accident
(adj : rescindable): to annul; to cancel serenity (n)
resiliency (n) (adj : serene) : calm; unruffled
(adj : resilient) : the quality of being resilient; recoil serpentine (adj) : snakelike; winding; tortuous
resonant (adj) serrated (adj)
(n : resonance) : resounding (n : serration) : with sharp forward-pointing teeth;
resplendent (adj) : shining, brilliant and splendid notched like a saw
(n : resplendence) severance (n) : division; separation; partition
resuscitate (v) : to bring back to life or conscious; shambles (n) : a butcher’s market stall;
to revive a slaughter-house; a mess or muddle
retraction (n) sibylline (adj) : of a prophetess, witch or female
(v : retract) : drawing back fortune-teller; prophetic books
retribution (n) sidereal (adj) : of, like, or relating to the stars
(adj : retributive) : requital; punishment silt (n) : fine sediment deposited by a body
retroactive (adj) : applying to or affecting things past; of water
operating backward simian (adj) : of the apes; apelike
reverberate (v) : to echo; to resound simile (n) : a figure of speech in which a
(adj : reverberant) person or thing is described by
rhapsodize (v) being explicitly likened to another
(adj : rhapsodic) : to piece together; to recite in simper (v)
rhapsodies (adj : simpering) : to smile in a silly, weak or affected
risible (adj) : able or inclined to laugh; ludicrous manner
rote (n) : mechanical memory, repetition or simulate (v)
performance without regard to the (adj : simulated) : to feign; to fake; to re-create the
meaning conditions of, for the purposes of
ruminate (v) training or experimentation
(n : rumination) : to meditate sinecure (n) : an office without work, a cushy job
rustic (adj) sinequanon (latin): an indispensable condition
(n : rusticity) : of a country; like that of country sinewy (adj) : relating to physical strength,
people; rural muscle
sinuous (adj) : bending in a supple manner; subsidiary (adj) : subordinate; axillary; tributary
curvy; serpentine substantiate (v) : to prove or confirm; to authenticate
skeptic (n) subterfuge (n) : deceit; fraud; stratagem; trick
(adj : skeptical) : a person who tends to disbelieve; succinct (adj) : brief and precise; concise; direct
a person who doubts prevailing suffrage (n) : voice; the right or power to vote;
doctrines, esp. in religion a vote
skittish (adj) sunder (v) : to separate; to part
(n : skittishness) : playful; lively; volatile; changeable superannuated (adj): retired; a pensioner; relating to
skulduggery (n) : underhand malpractices retirement, pension
sleazy (adj) supercilious (adj) : arrogant; proud; egoistic
(n : sleaziness) : cheap; shabby superimpose (v) : to set on the top of something
sleight (n) : juggling trick; an artful trick; dexterity else; to place one over another
slither (v) (n : superimposition)
(adj : slithery) : to slide, especially on the belly supernumerary (n): over and above the stated, usual,
sluice (n) normal or necessary number
(v : sluiced) : a floodgate or watergate; a structure (adj : supernumeraries)
with a gate for stopping or supersede (v) : to replace; to set aside in favour of
regulating flow or water another, supplant
snivel (v) supplant (v) : to oust; to supersede; to surpass
(adj : snivelling) : to whimper or cry; to utter with and take the place of
snivelling supple (adj) : flexible; lithe; adaptable
sobriquet (n) : a nickname; an assumed name surreptitious (adj) : clandestine; stealthy; hidden; done
solecism (n) : a breach of syntax or a nonstandard by stealth or fraud
grammatical usage surrogate (n) : a substitute; a person who fills the
soliloquy (n) : an act of talking to oneself role of another in one’s emotional life
sombre (adj) svelte (adj) : attractively slim; slender and graceful
(n : sombreness) : dark and gloomy; melancholy; swathe (v) : to bind round, envelop; to bandage
serious; grave sybarite (n) : a person devoted to luxury;
somnambulist (n) : a person walking in sleep pertaining to luxury
soporific (n/adj) : a sleep-inducing agent; drowsy; sycophant (n) : a servile flatterer; bootlicker
sleepy sylvan (adj) : of woods or woodland; wooded,
(adv : soporifically) tree-lined; romantically rural,
spasmodic (adj) : intermittent Arcadian
splenetic (adj) : bad-tempered, irritable or irritated; synchronous (adj): simultaneous; contemporary;
melancholy keeping time together
sporadic (adj) : occurring here and there or now
and then; scattered T
spurious (adj) : not genuine; false; forged tabby (n) : a gossiping, interfering woman;
spurn (v) : to reject with contempt; disdainful a girl or woman
rejection tableau (n) : moment or scene in which the
squalid (adj) : dirty; filthy; dilapidated; uncared- action is ‘frozen’ for dramatic
for, unkempt; sordid and dingy effect; suddenly created dramatic
staid (adj) : dignified; serious; often implying a situation
dull or boring quality tabloid (n) : anything in a concentrated form,
stalemate (n) : an inglorious deadlock a summary
stalwart (adj) : stout, strong, sturdy; determined or tacky : shabby; dilapidated
committed in support or partisanship taffy : flattery, blarney
stamina (n) : sustained energy, staying power, talisman : an object supposed to be induced
whether physical, mental or emotional with magical powers and able to
status-quo : the existing condition, unchanged protect, bring good fortune, etc to
situation the possessor; an amulet or charm
stereotyped (adj) tandem : together or in conjunction
(n : stereotype) : fixed, unchangeable as opinions taper : a feeble light; a wax-candle;
stoic (n) : uncomplaining in suffering; narrow; to become gradually
indifferent to pleasure or pain smaller towards one end
stolid (adj) : impassiveness; showing little or no tapestry : an ornamental textile used for the
interest; unemotional covering of walls and furniture, etc,
strident (adj) : loud and grating; harsh; piercing made by passing coloured threads
stupefy (v) : to stun with amazement; to make or wools through a fixed-warp fabric
stupid or senseless; to become tappice : to hide; to lie low
stupid or dull taradiddle : nonsense; a fib, a lie
stymie (v) : baffle; confuse tash (v) : to blemish; to disarray; to disfigure
suave (adj) tautology : use of words that repeat
(n : suavity) : polite, sophisticated and smoothly something already implied in the
affable same statement
subjective (adj) : individual; personal; influenced by taxidermy : the act of preparing, stuffing and
or derived from personal taste or mounting the skins of animals and
opinion and lacking impartiality
birds so that they present a lifelike titter (n) : a stifled laugh
appearance tittle – tattle : petty gossip
technophobe : a person who fears, dislikes, or tocsin (n) : an alarm-bell
avoids new technology toddle (n) : to walk with short feeble steps; an
teetotaller : a total abstainer from alcoholic drink aimless stroll
temperate : avoiding excess, self-restrained, tolerate (v) : to endure with patience or
moderate forbearance; to bear; to suffer
temerity (n) tome (n) : a large book or volume
(adj : temerous) : rashness; unreasonable contempt torpid (adj) : having lost the power of motion
for danger and feeling; sluggish; lethargic
tempest : a violent wind storm; a violent torpor : inactivity; dullness; stupidity
commotion or agitation totalitarian (adj) : a characteristic of or a form of
temporize (v) : to comply with the demands of the government that includes control
moment, yield to circumstances; to of everything under one authority,
use delaying tactics behave so as and allows no opposition
to gain time tourniquet : any appliance for compressing an
tenebrous (adj) : dark; gloomy artery to stop bleeding; a turnstile
tenuous : thin; slender; insubstantial; rarefied toxic (adj) : poisonous; unhealthy
termagant : brawling, scolding woman tragedy (n) : disaster; catastrophe; any event
terse (adj) : brief; concise; compact involving death or killing
testator (n) : a person who leaves a valid will at traipse : to trail; to trudge
death; a will trammel (n) : anything that confines or hinders
tether (n) : fasten; a rope or chain for tranquil : calm; peaceful
confining an animal within certain transcribe : make a copy of esp in writing
limits transient : of short duration, impermanent
thanatism (n) : belief that the soul dies with the transit (n) : the conveyance or passage of
body things or people over, across or
thatch (n) : a covering or covering material of through a distance
straw, reeds, heather, palm-leaves translucent : shining through; imperfectly
etc transparent; clear; lucid
thaumaturgist (n) : one who performs magic tricks transmute : change the form, nature, or
substance
using sleight-of-hand
transpose : a cause to change place
thaw (n) : to melt or grow liquid; to soften
travail : labour in child birth; excessive
theism (n) : belief in the existence of God with
labour; suffering
or without a belief in a special
treacherous (adj) : betrayal; misleadingly inviting in
revelation
appearance; not to be trusted
theocracy (n) : the constitution of a state in which
treatise (n) : a written composition especially
God is regarded as the sole one treating a subject formally or
sovereign systematically
thesaurus (n) : a book with systematically trenchant : (of a style or language etc)
arranged lists of words and their incisive, terse, vigorous
synonyms, antonyms, etc, a word- trepidation (n) : trembling; anxiety; worry;
finder apprehension; alarmed agitation;
thespian : of or relating to tragedy or drama panic
threnody (n) : an ode or song of lamentation, trivial (adj) : insignificant; of little importance
especially for the dead trouble shooter : a mediator in industrial or
throng (n) : a crowd; mass; a great multitude diplomatic etc. disputes, a person
throttle (n) : to choke by pressure on the who traces and corrects faults in
windpipe; to strangle; gag machinery etc.
thwart (adv) : obstruct; prevent truculence (n) : aggression; belligerence; hostility
thyroid (n) : a ductless gland in the neck which trumpery (n) : showy and worthless stuff; ritual
secretes thyroxin foolery; rubbish
tiara (n) : a richly jewelled semicircular head- truncate : amputate; to cut short
ornament worn by women; the tryst : meetings; an appointment to meet;
pope’s triple crown a cattle-fair
tiff (n) : a slight quarrel; an altercation tumult (n) : a state of violent and confused
timbre : the quality of a sound, as opposed emotion; violent commotion with
to pitch and loudness uproar
tinge (v) : trace; tint; shade; to impart a slight turgid (adj) : pompous; bombastic; inflated;
modification or trace to swollen
tiptop (n) : the extreme top; the height of turmoil (n) : unrest; tumult; disquiet
excellence; of the highest turnkey (n) : an under-jailer
excellence turpitude (n) : baseness; depravity
tutelage (n) : tuition; guardianship; state of being unwitting (adj) : unaware; without knowing;
under a guardian unintentional
twaddle (n) : a senseless or tedious unwonted (adj) : unusual; unaccustomed
uninteresting talk usurp (v) : seize; to take possession of by
tweak (n) : to twitch or pinch; to pull or twist force, without right, or unjustly
with sudden jerks usury (n) : the taking of interest on a loan;
tweed (n) : a rough woollen cloth much used interest
for men’s suits; a predominantly utopia (n) : any real or imaginary state or
upper-class, outdoor type place believed to be ideal, perfect,
twerp : a silly or contemptible person excellent
twilight (n) : the faint light after sunset and uxorious (adj) : excessively or submissively fond
before sunrise; a period of decay of a wife
following a period of success
tycoon : a business magnate V
tyke : a rough mannered person, child; vainglorious (adj) : boastful; proud; given to, or
a dog proceeding from, vainglory
typhoon : a violent cyclonic storm; a whirlwind valedictory (adj) : saying farewell; of or for a leave-
typography : the art or style of printing, or of taking
using type effectively valet : a man’s personal attendant who
tyrant (n) : a ruler who uses power arbitrarily looks after his clothes
and oppressively; an absolute validate (v) : to certify; to confirm, substantiate,
ruler; an oppressor verify
tyro : a beginner; a novice vassal (n) : a person holding land from a feudal
superior in return for homage and
U loyalty
ukase (n) : any arbitrary decree from any source vaunted (adj) : of boasted
veer (v) : to change the direction; to change
ultimatum (n) : a last offer or demand; a last word
course especially away from the
unassuming (adj) : making no assumption;
wind; to turn
unpretentious, modest
vegetate (v) : to live an inactive, almost purely
uncanny (adj) : weird, supernatural; much greater physical, or dull life; idle
than one would expect from an vendetta (n) : a blood-feud; any similarly
ordinary human being prolonged, violent, etc feud or quarrel
unconscionable (adj): unscrupulous; outrageous, inordinate veneer (n) : layer; covering; to disguise with
unction (n) : ointment; warmth of address; that superficial refinement
which is anointing venerable (adj)
unctuous (adj) : offensively suave and smug; full of (v : venerate) : aged-looking; worthy of reverence;
unction respected; honourable
unequivocal (adj) : explicit; clear and emphatic; venison (n) : deer’s flesh as food
straightforward ventriloquist (n) : one who has the art of speaking so as
unerring (adj) : making no error, infallible; faultless to give the illusion that the sound
unfaltering (adj) : steady; without stumbling comes from some other source
unfledged (adj) : undeveloped or inexperienced; of venturesome (adj): inclined or willing to take risks;
early youth involving the taking of risk
ungainly (adj) : awkward; clumsy verbiage (n) : superfluity of words, verbosity;
unguent (n) : ointment; lotion; balm prolixity
unilateral (adj) : one-sided; on one side vermicular (adj) : like a worm; caused by intestinal
unimpeachable (adj): blameless; free from fault worms
uninhibited (adj) : unreserved; unrestricted vernal (adj) : fresh and youthful; happening or
unique (adj) : found solely in, belong solely to; appearing in spring
vernacular (n) : of the jargon or idiom of a
rare; individual; distinctive
particular group; indigenous,
unison (n) : a sound of the same pitch;
native, spoken by the people of the
complete agreement
country or of one’s own country
unkempt (adj) : uncombed; messy; scruffy versatile (adj) : capable of many uses; all-purpose
unmitigated (adj) : not mitigated; unqualified vertex (n) : the point opposite to the base; the
unobtrusive (adj) : inconspicuous; modest top or summit
unprecedented (adj): of which there has been no vertiginous (adj) : producing dizziness; giddy;
previous instance relating to vertigo
unruly (adj) : unmanageable; turbulent verve (n) : enthusiasm; spirit, energy
unsavory (adj) : offensive; disagreeable; disreputable vestige (n) : a surviving trace of what has
unscathed (adj) : not harmed or injured almost disappeared
unseemly (adj) : inappropriate; ill-looking veteran : a person who has grown old in or
unsullied (adj) : without a spot or tarnish; unpolluted had long experience of esp.
untenable (adj) : not tenable; not defensible military service or an occupation
untoward (adj) : unlucky; unfitting; unfavourable; vex (n) : annoy; irritate; disturb; harass
unexpected; inconvenient viands (n) : an article of food; food
vignette (n) : a character sketch, a word-picture whelp (n) : the cub of a tiger, lion or wolf; a puppy
vindictive (adj) : revengeful; spiteful whimsical (adj) : fanciful; full of whims
virago (n) : a violent or bad-tempered woman whinny (v) : to neigh
virile (adj) : manly; masculine whizz-kid : a brilliant or highly successful
virtuoso (n) : master; expert; an artist of the young person
highest technical skill whorl (n) : a group of similar members arising
virulent (adj) : deadly; hostile; malicious; from the same level on a stem,
extremely infectious; highly and forming a circle around it
poisonous or malignant windfall (n) : a sum of money that comes to one
visionary (adj) : fanciful, not real; chimerical; idealistic unexpectedly or suddenly, or any
vitreous (adj) : glassy; pertaining to, consisting of other piece of good fortune
or like glass; glass-green in colour winsome (adj) : cheerful; pleasant; attractive;
vituperate : revile, abuse charming
vivisection (n) : merciless and minute examination witticism (n) : a witty remark; a sentence or
or criticism; the act or practice of phrase affectedly witty
making surgical operations on wizardry (n) : sorcery; magic
living animals for the purposes of wraith (n) : a spectre; an apparition
physiological research or wrangle (v) : a noisy dispute
demonstration wrench (v) : to pull with a twisting or wringing
vixen : a female fox; a bad-tempered woman action; to force or wrest violently;
volition (n) : decision; the act of willing or to sprain
choosing; will; choice writhe (v) : to move the body sinuously; to
voluble (adj) : fluent in speech; talkative, twist and contort oneself in agony
verbose; wordy
voluminous (adj) : abundant; bulky; sizable; huge; X
massive xenophobia (n) : fear or hatred of foreigners and
voluptuous (adj) : shapely and sexually attractive; foreign things
seductive; provocative; sensual
votary (n) : a devoted worshipper or adherent Y
vulpine (adj) : cunning; pertaining to or like a fox yammer : lament, wail, or grumble, voluble
talk
W yak : a trivial or unduly persistent
waggish (adj) : amusing or mischievous conversation
waif (n) : a neglected ownerless child; yahoo : a coarse person, a lout, a hooligan,
a homeless wanderer an exclamation of excitement
wallow (v) : to live in filth or vice; to immerse or yen (n) : an intense desire, longing or urge
indulge oneself in emotion etc yeoman : any small farmer or countryman
wangle (v) : to manipulate or falsify above the grade of labourer;
wanton (adj) : thoughtlessly cruel; rudely; merciless a remarkable service
warble (v) : to sing sweetly; to make or be yoke (n) : a period of work; slavery; bondage
produced as a sweet quavering yore (n) : time long ago or long past
sound
warranty (n) : an undertaking or assurance Z
expressed or implied in certain zany (adj) : crazy; silly; amusing; funny; comical
contracts; a guarantee zeal (n)
warren (n) : a densely populated slum dwelling (adj : zealous) : enthusiasm; intensity; vigour
or district; a maze of narrow zen : Japanese branch of Buddhism
passages which holds that the truth is not in
wastrel (n) : spendthrift; idler; a profligate scriptures but in a person’s own
wayfarer : a traveller heart if they will only strive to find it
wet blanket : a gloomy person preventing the by meditation and self-mastery
enjoyment of others zenith (n) : the greatest height; summit;
wheedle (v) : to obtain by coaxing; to entice by pinnacle; acme
soft words, flatter, cajole zephyr (n) : a soft, gentle breeze
ECONOMICS
arbitrage : buying of shares, currencies and prices

commodities for quick resale at a cartel : an association of similar
higher price companies grouped together to
arbitrageur : one who buys up shares in prevent competition
companies threatened by take collateral : property pledged as security for a
over bids loan
bear : speculator who anticipates falling conglomerate : business corporation made up of
prices diverse companies
bull : speculator who anticipates rising
debenture : fixed interest security issued by a gilt edged
company securities : low risk fixed-interest securities
dow Jones Index: daily average of prices on the issued by the government
New York Stock Exchange
flotation : launching of a business venture
through issue of shares
INSURANCE TERMS
actuary : an employee of an insurance people from various segments

company who calculates the of society
amount to be paid as premium personal liability : risk of a person causing death
annuity : an investment or insurance injury or loss to others
policy that pays someone a pluvius insurance : insurance against bad
fixed sum of money each year weather by people who
comprehensive : an insurance policy that organise outdoor events
covers many areas reversion : the money paid by the
endorsement : amendment to a policy insurance company on the
endowment policy : a life insurance policy which death of a life insurance policy
matures on the death of an holder
individual or on a set date, surrender value : amount calculated when a
whichever is earlier policy is voluntarily terminated
loading : the amount paid in addition to before its maturity
the premium to cover special tontine : insurance scheme in which a
risks or expenses member’s shares or benefits
moral hazard : risk to the insurer as a result pass to the other members
of carelessness or dishonesty when he dies or defaults
of the insured underwriter : a company or agent that
mortality Table : table showing average life - accepts part of an insurance
expectancy and death rates of risk
GOVERNMENT SYSTEMS
absolutism : a system of government by an all- monocracy : rule by a single all-powerful

powerful monarch or dictator individual
aristocracy : rule by hereditary ruling class ochlocracy : rule by the mob
autarchy : rule by a single all-powerful oligarchy : government by a small group of
individual people
autocracy : rule by a single all-powerful patriarchy : rule of men to the exclusion of
individual women
despotism : rule by an all-powerful person or pentarchy : rule by five people jointly
group plutocracy : rule of the wealthy
diarchy : rule by two rulers jointly stratocracy : rule by the army
gerontocracy : rule by elderly men technocracy : rule by technically skilled people
hierocracy : rule by priests or clergy men theocracy : rule by priesthood representing
matriarchy : rule by women God
meritocracy : rule by men who have proven totalitarianism : rule by a powerful dictator or party
intellect or skills Triumverate : rule by three people jointly
Iceland - ALTHING
India - RAJYA SABHA AND LOK SABHA
PARLIAMENTS Iran - MAJLIS
Australia - BUNDESVERSAMMLUNG
Bulgaria - NARODNA SUBRANIE Ireland - OIREACHTAS
Denmark - FOLKETING Israel - KNESSET
Ethiopia - SHERGO Japan - DIET
Finland - EDUSKUNTA Jersy - STATES OF JERSEY
Germany - DEUTSCHER, BUNDESTAG Mongolia - KHURAL
Greenland - LANDSTRAAD Nepal - NATIONAL PANCHAYAT
Netherlands - STATEN GENERAAL Switzerland - BUNDESVERSAMMLUNG
Norway - STORTING
Sark - COURT OF CHIEF PLEAS
Spain - CORTES
Sweden - RIKSDAG
-OLOGIES AND -OGRAPHIES
The suffix -ology is a combining form in nouns denoting
(1) a subject of study or interest as, in 'psychology' ;

(2) a characteristic of speech or language as, in 'enlogy'; and
(3) a type of discourse as, in 'trilogy' (a group of three related novels, plays, films etc.).
The suffix -graphy is a combining form in nouns denoting
(1) a descriptive science as in 'geography' ;

(2) a technique of producing images as, in 'radiography';
(3) a style or method of writing as, in 'calligraphy' ;
(4) writing about a subject as, in 'hagiography' (the writings on the lives of saints) ; and
(5) a written or printed list as, in 'filmography' (a list of films of a director or actor or on one subject).
Given below is a list of words with the suffixes -'ology' and -'graphy'.
Cosmology – study of the origin and development of the universe.
Petrology – study of the origin, surface and composition of rocks.
Trichology – study of hair and scalp.

Topology – study of geometrical properties and spatial relation which remain unaffected by smooth changes in shape or
size of figures.
Ichthyology – study of fish.
Choreography – study of the sequence of steps and movement in dance and ballets.
Ethnology – study of the characteristics of different peoples and the differences and relationships between them.
Topography – arrangement of the natural and artificial physical features of an area.

Palaeontology – study of fossil plants and animals.
Epigraphy – study of interpretation of ancient inscriptions.
Entomology – study of insects.
Cardiology – study of the diseases and abnormalities of the heart.
Cartography – science or practice of drawing maps.
Cryptology – study of codes or the art of writing and solving them.
Dermatology – branch of medicine concerned with skin disorders.

Ethology – science of animal behaviour OR the study of human behaviour and social organization from a biological
perspective.
Genealogy – study of ancestry.
Gerontology – study of old age.
Gynaecology – study of diseases specific to women.

Haematology – study of the physiology of blood.
Lexicography – practice of compiling dictionaries.
Lexicology – study of form, meaning and behaviour of words.
Meteorology – study of the atmosphere for weather forecasting.
Pathology – study of the causes and effects of diseases.
Psephology – statistical study of elections and trends in voting.
Seismology – study of earthquakes and related phenomenon.
Osteology – study of the structure and function of the skeleton and bones.
Ornithology – scientific study of birds.
Paedology – study of things related to children.

Philology – study of the structure and historical development of languages.
Statistics – science of collecting and analysing numerical data in large quantities.
Chronology – study of records to establish the dates of past events.
Etiology – study of causes.

Tribology – study of surfaces in relative motion (as in bearings).
Posology – part of medicine concerned with dosages.
Phycology – study of sea weeds and other algae.

Nephrology – branch of medicine concerned with the physiology and diseases of the kidneys.
Ecclesiology – study of churches.
Pulmonology – study of lungs.
Soteriology – doctrine of salvation.
Calligraphy – art of decorative handwriting.
Orthography – conventional spelling system of a language.

Lithography – process of printing from a flat stone or metal plate.
Biography is an account of a person’s life written by someone else.

Oceanography is concerned with the physical and biological properties and phenomena of the sea.
Hypsography – study and mapping of the relative altitudes of different areas of the earth's surface.
Chorography – art of mapping of regions.
Geography – study of the physical features of the earth.
Biogeography – study of geographical distribution of plants & animals.
Telegraphy – transmission of messages along a wire.
INDEX
AGES
AIR CRAFT
ALPHABET AND WRITING SYSTEMS
AMERICAN ENGLISH - BRITISH ENGLISH
ANIMALS AND RELATED ADJECTIVES
ANNIVERSARIES
ARCHAEOLOGY : SOME FREQUENTLY USED TERMS
ARCHITECTURAL STYLES
ART MOVEMENTS
ASTROLOGY
ASTRONOMY
BOOKS
CLOTHES
COLOURS
DRAMA
FURNITURE & FURNITURE STYLES
GEM STONES
GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES
LEGAL TERMS
LITERARY TERMS
MANIAS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS
DOCTOR - DISEASED PART
MEDICINES - WHAT THEY TREAT/CURE
MEDICAL AND SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS AND THEIR USAGE
SURGICAL OPERATIONS – BODY PART
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
MISCELLANEOUS MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
MUSICAL COMPOSITIONS
PAINTINGS AND TERMS RELATED TO ART
PHILOSOPHIES
POETRY RELATED TERMS
THEATRE TERMS
THERAPIES
WEATHER
SPECIAL WORD LIST
This list includes a wide array of words which are used in altimeter : Instrument for measuring attitude
different fields. They have been grouped according to sortie : Single raid or mission by a combat
the area to which they belong and have been listed aircraft
alphabetically for easy reference. While some of these yaw : Spin or wobble in flight
may be subject specific, others are in everyday use.
Entries like anniversaries, gem stones, geographical ALPHABET AND WRITING SYSTEMS
features and government systems which are not so well-
known, but of common interest, also find a place.
cuneiform : Ancient Middle Eastern script
The meaning and origin of a number of words which cyrillic : Russian and Bulgarian alphabet
have crept into the English language and hardly seem devanagari : Script used in Sanskrit and other some
foreign any more are listed under the language of their Indian languages
source. glagolitic : Early Slavonic alphabet
Idioms and phrasal verbs are an integral part of the hieroglyphics : Ancient Egyptian picture writing
language and probably the most challenging for a ideography : Chinese system of symbolic characters
learner. So these have been added. Users of English as to represent entire words or ideas
a second language invariably have trouble with word international phonetic alphabet (ipa)
collocations. The most commonly used noun/adjective : Standard set of letters and symbols, to
collocations have been included. represent the sounds of all languages
kana : Japanese syllabic scripts, either
The art-oriented will find entries related to theatre, Hiragana or Katakana
painting, poetry and music, interesting. kanji : Japanese syllabary based on
Chinese characters
There is also a list of frequently confused words, with kufic : Early Arabic script or alphabet
their right usage which will set at rest any doubt about linear a : Ancient Cretan script, still
the right word in a given context. undeciphered
linear b : Ancient script used in Crete and
A study of this volume will help you not only from an mainland Greece, deciphered in 1952
examination perspective but also enrich your language ogham : Ancient angular Celtic alphabet
and strengthen your spoken and written communication and script used mainly in Ireland
skills. romaji : Roman alphabet as used to
transliterate Japanese
pictography : System of pictures to represent word
AGES roman alphabet : Standard alphabet of most western
and central European languages
runes : Ancient Germanic, carved alphabetic
Nouns that depict the ages of humans
script
quinquagenarian : one who is 50 +
syllabary : Set of written characters each
sexagenarian : one who is 60 +
representing a syllable
septuagenarian : one who is 70+
octogenarian : one who is 80+
nonagenarian : one who is 90+
centenarian : one who is 100+ AMERICAN ENGLISH - BRITISH ENGLISH
AIR CRAFT AMERICAN ENGLISH BRITISH ENGLISH

billfold : wallet
aerostat : Aircraft that is lighter than air broiler : griller
aerodyne : Aircraft that is heavier than air candidacy : candidature
monocoque : Aircraft fuselage cotton candy/
jet : Aircraft driven by jet engines spun sugar : fairy floss
hovercraft : A vehicle that travels on land and water cookie : sweet biscuit
over a cushion of air derby : bowler hat
autogyro : Aircraft with horizontal rotor as well as diaper : nappy
conventional propellers drapes : curtains
canard : Aircraft that has its tail plane located druggist : chemist
in front of the main wings faucet : tap
drone : Air craft operated by remote control fender : mud guard
vector : Aircraft’s course or direction when flashlight : torch
guided by radio freeway : highway
hangar : Building for parking aircraft furlough : leave of absence from
sonic boom : Explosive bang produced by a shock military duty
wave from an aircraft that is flying faster gas : petrol
than the speed of sound garbage can : dust bin
volplane : Gliding without power hood : bonnet
installment plan : hire purchase 14th year - ivory
jelly : jam 15th year - crystal
laundromat : launderette 20th year - china
monkey wrench : spanner 25th year - silver
mortician : undertakers 30th year - pearl
muffler : silencer (of a car) 35th year - coral
pacifier : baby’s dummy 40th year - ruby
pitcher : jug 45th year - sapphire
realtor : estate agent 50th year - gold
solitaire : card game of patience 55th year - emerald
sophomore : second year student 60 - 65 - diamond
suspenders : braces
thumbtack : drawing pin
trunk : boot of car ARCHAEOLOGY : SOME FREQUENTLY
tuxedo : dinner jacket USED TERMS
vest : waist coat
veteran : ex-serviceman
zip code : post code barrow : burial mound covered with earth
crannog : artificial Island supporting
buildings
ANIMALS AND RELATED ADJECTIVES dendrochronology : dating of past events by
analyzing tree rings
dolmen : chamber or tomb formed by a
ape, monkey - simian, pongid horizontal stone atop two or
ass, donkey - asinine more vertical ones
badger - meline eolithic : earliest period of human
bear - ursine culture
pig - porcine menhir : large, free-standing stone
cat - feline mesolithic : refers to Middle Stone Age
cattle - bovine neolithic : refers to New Stone Age
deer - cervine paleolithic : refers to Old Stone Age when
dog - canine man began to make tools
elephant - elephantine palaeontology : study of fossils and ancient
fox - vulpine forms of life
frog - ranine, batrachian sherd : a piece of broken pottery
goat - capric, hircine found during excavation
horse - equine stratigraphy : the dating of objects,
kangaroo - macropine depending on the layers in
lion - leonine which they lie
ARCHITECTURAL STYLES
ANNIVERSARIES
baroque :An elaborate style developed in the
3 years - triennial 17th century Europe
5 years - quinquennial brutalism : Very plain modern style, functionalist
100 years - centenary architecture without any decorations
150 years - sesquicentennial byzantine : Styles predominated by domes and
200 years - bicentenary minarets
300 years - tricentennial classical : Formal, precise style found especially
500 years - quincentenary in Rome and Greece
1000 years - millennium colonial : Georgian style of the 17th and 18th century
English settlements in North America
(Wedding anniversaries and celebrations) gothic : 13th to 15th century style with pointed
windows and arches
1st year - cotton neo classical : Late 18th century style, which revived
2nd year - paper the precision and symmetry of Greece
3rd year - leather and Rome
4th year - flower/fruit palladian : 18th century style based on Italian
5th year - wood architecture
6th year - iron/sugar candy regency : Style of 18th century that used tall
7th year - wool windows and delicate iron balconies
8th year - bronze renaissance : A style that reopened Greek and
9th year - copper/pottery Roman ideals
10th year - tin rococo : A greatly elaborate style of eighteenth
11th year - steel century Europe
12th year - silk and fine linen romanesque : European 9th to 12th century style
13th year - lace
ART MOVEMENTS the celestial sphere
Art Deco :
art that uses plastic and steel and ASTRONOMY
has a distinctive design with bold
geometric shapes
apogee : point at which an orbiting object is
Art Nouveau : decorative style using narrow wavy
farthest from the earth
lines and swirling forms.
asteroid : a small rocky body in orbit around
Barbizon School: art that depicts landscapes
the sun
Constructivism : geometric art not representing
azimuth : horizontal bearing of a celestial
anything particular
object measured clockwise from a
Cubism : art begun in the early twentieth
given direction
century which introduced multiple
Big bang theory: the belief that the universe came
view points using many lines and
into existence after a huge
geometric shapes
explosion
Expressionism : art which believed in the direct
black hole : a region in space which has such
expression of the ‘artists’ feeling a great gravitational pull that even
Fauvism : the use of bright and vibrant light cannot escape from it
colours heliocentric or
Futurism : early 20th century Italian movement copernican theory: belief that the sun and not the
displaying the energy of the earth is the centre of the solar
machine age system
Impressionism : 19th century French movement corona : the halo of light around the Sun
which concentrated on the visual and the Moon
impact of drawings nebula : cloud of dust and gas in a galaxy
Neoclassicism : late 18th and 19th century nutation : a periodic variation in the
movement marked by a revival of inclination of an axis of rotation
classical proportion and restraint perigee : point at which an orbiting object is
Post impressionism: movement in painting advancing closest to the earth
from Impressionism towards perihelion : point at which an orbiting object is
compositions based on the closest to the sun
arrangement of solid forms pulsar : rapidly rotating star that sends out
Realism : 19th century movement in arts a regular flash of radiation
which recorded life objectively with quasar : an extremely brilliant object that
no idealization may be the nucleus of a distant
Romanticism : early 19th century movement in galaxy
arts emphasising individual
emotions and free imagination
Surrealism : 20th century art movement dealing BOOKS
with fantasy, dreams and the
subconscious
Vorticism : English movement which started in almagest : Arabic version of Ptolemy’s
1914 marked by the expression of astronomical treatise
energy through abstract forms almanac : a book containing important dates
and statistical information
ASTROLOGY annal : record of historical events
anthology : collection of writing by a single
ascendant : a section of the zodiac rising author or on a single theme
above the eastern horizon at a armorial : book listing details about arms
given moment
baedeker : a tourist guide book
combust : star or planet too close to the sun
bestiary : a book about animal fables
to be visible
constellation : group of stars forming a breviary : prayer/hymn book for Roman
recognized pattern Catholic clergymen
cusp : transition between two signs of the cambist : book showing exchange rates and
zodiac conversion charts for weights and
descendent : elliptical opposite of ascendant measures
horoscope : a diagrammatic representation of festschrift : book of essays by scholars and
the position of the stars and compiled as a tribute to a learned
planets at a given time colleague
nativity : horoscope based on the time formulary : a collection of set forms especially
when one is born for religious use; formula used in
quintile : positioning of two stars that are the preparation of medical drugs
72° apart. hornbook : elementary text book introducing a
trine : positioning of two stars that are subject
120° apart incunabulum : book printed before 1501
zodiac : imaginary band of the planets in lectionary : a list of portions of scripture
appointed to be read at divine emerald - green
service fallow/fawn - yellow as brownish yellow
lexicon : dictionary flamingo - reddish yellow
missal : prayer book, especially for the gentian - blue
Roman Catholic Mass henna - reddish brown
monograph : booklet or a pamphlet on a specific jade - green
subject or a single aspect of it jonquil - yellow or brownish yellow
omnibus : a volume containing or assembling magenta - purplish red
several related writings mauve - pale purple
pharmacopoeia : officially published book with a list mahogany - reddish brown
of drugs and directions for their nutmeg - brown
use nutria - grey
primer : introductory book especially for ochre - reddish brown
language teaching roan - reddish brown
psalter : book of psalms rubiginous - rust brown
thesaurus : a book that lists words in groups of sable - black
synonyms and related concepts salmon - reddish yellow or orange
vade mecum : a manual that can be used for sapphire - blue
quick reference sepia - brown
variorum : a text with notes by several editors sorrel - reddish brown
or commentator subfusc - black
taupe - grey tinged with brown
CLOTHES tawny - yellowish brown
terre-verte - greyish green
titian - golden auburn
bandana : large brightly coloured scarf. tortoise shell - brown
bermuda short : knee-length shorts. ultramarine - blue
bolero : a woman’s short jacket. umber - dark yellowish brown
burnous : long hooded Arabic cloak. walnut - brown
chemise : woman’s loose undergarment
corset : tight undergarment worn by ladies DRAMA
used for support of waist and hips.
cravat : man’s small light knotted scarf.
dashiki : loose tunic worn by African men. anagnorisis : moment of recognition of the truth
dungarees : trousers with a bib held up by by the protagonist in classical tragedy
straps over the shoulder. black comedy : comedy that deals with grim
duffle coat : short woollen coat with hood and subjects
toggles catharsis : drama that figuratively purges the
guernsey : a knitted sweater or jersey. emotions of the audience
halter : woman’s bodice, tied behind the denouement : final outcome or solution of a play
neck. duologue : play or scene in which only two
jerkin : short jacket with/without collar. actors have dialogues
jodhpurs : riding breeches. epilogue : speech or poem after the end of a
kilt : pleated skirt worn by Scottish men. play
mantilla : lace shawl used by Spanish women.
figurant : character in a play who does not
speak
grand Guignol : short horrifying play
COLOURS interlude : entertainment between the acts of
a play
alabaster - white kabuki : elaborate Japanese drama with
amaranth - reddish purple music and dance
amber - honey yellow masque : drama based on mythical or
amethyst - violet allegorical theme
aubergine - violet miracle/
azure - blue mystery plays : dramatization of events from the
barium - yellow Bible
beige - brown mise ensiene : stage props
burgundy - reddish purple mummer : actor in a traditional folk drama or
celadon - green mime dealing with death and
chamois - brownish yellow destruction
citron - yellow or brownish yellow peripeteia : a twist in the plot
cinnabar - red protasis : introductory part of the play
cinnamon - brown
especially of classical tragedy
crimson - red
repertory : permanent theatre company
ebony - black
ecru - off-white/yellowish grey producing a succession of plays
soliloquy : monologue or the speaking aloud of GEM STONES
a character of his innermost thoughts
stichomythia : dialogue in Greek drama in which agate
alternate lines of verse are spoken amber
by different characters amethyst
tableau : silent motionless group in a stage aquamarine
scene citrine
tetralogy : a group of four related dramas diamond
unities : three principles which are the emerald
basis of good drama – unity of jade
time, place and action opal
peridot
ruby
sapphire
topaz
FURNITURE & FURNITURE STYLES turquoise
armoire : ornate or antique cupboard GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES

biedermeier : 19th century style of furniture
developed in Germany. archipelago : a cluster of islands in the sea
boulle : brass or shell decorative inlay barrier reef : coral reef that runs parallel to the
especially on furniture coast
chaise longue : a reclining chair fjord : deep and long inlet of the sea,
cheval glass : a large mirror mounted on swivels between high cliffs
chippendale : English style lay : low islet of coral or sand
console table : table fixed to a wall glacier : a large mass of moving ice
davenport : small writing desk with drawers isthmus : strip of land connecting two large
dos-á-dos : seat in which two people can sit bodies of land
pamir : high grassland in Central Asia
back to back
pampas : grasslands of Argentina and
fauteuil : upholstered armchair
Uruguay
ottoman : long cushioned seat without a back prairies : grasslands of North America
queen Anne : early 18th century English style savannah : grasslands of tropical and
furniture with fine upholstery subtropical regions
regency : decorative early 19th century sierra : high range of mountains with
English style jagged peaks.
sheraton : late 18th century English style, tundra : large flat areas of land in the north
delicate and graceful of Europe, Asia and America
teapoy : small tea table with three legs where there is no vegetation
LEGAL TERMS
affidavit : a sworn, written statement

codicil : something added as an afterthought to a will
corpus delicti : evidence of a crime such as a corpse
delict : wrongful act which entitles the injured party to a compensation
deposition : a sworn, written statement
distrain : to seize goods as compensation
easement : right of a house-owner or landowner over another’s property
entail : settling of the inheritance of an estate beyond one generation so as to prevent its disposal by
an individual heir
equity : legal rules supplementing common law
escrow : goods, money, contract or the like that is kept for safekeeping with a third party after certain
conditions are met
estovers : articles that tenants are legally allowed to remove from their landlords’ estate
ex parte : a court application or injunction made on behalf of one side only
habeas corpus : a writ requiring that a detainee be produced before a court and reasons being given for his
detention
in camera : court proceedings which exclude the public from the court
indemnity : legal exemption from penalties
indictment : written accusation
injunction : a court order
laches : negligence or unreasonable delay in pursuing a legal claim
lien : right to take or hold another’s property as security for a debt
mens rea : criminal intent
nolle prosequi : an entry in court records showing that a case was not proceeded with
parole : release of a prisoner before the end of a sentence on condition of good behaviour
probate : document certifying the validity of a will
pupilage : apprenticeship as an advocate or a barrister
sequestration : seizure of goods until conditions laid down in a decree have been met
sub judice : under deliberation by a court and therefore not open to public comment
subpoena : writ requiring a person to appear and give evidence in a court
tort : breach or violation of civil law, other than breach of contract
ultra vires : beyond the legal powers of a person or institution
usufruct : right to use and benefit from another’s property so long as it remains undamaged
LITERARY TERMS
allegory : work in which the characters and events are symbolic of something else
bathos : a sudden change from a serious or important subject to a ridiculous or ordinary one
epigram : short and meaningful statement
epistolary novel : novel in the form of letters
leitmotif : a recurring theme in a novel
mimesis : imitation in literature of nature or human nature
MANIAS
dipsomania - obsession with alcohol

bibliomania - obsession with books
gephyromania - obsession with bridges
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
ailuromania - obsession with cats
demomaina - obsession with crowds actinometer - intensity of radiation
necromania - obsession with dead bodies almucanter - bearing and attitude of
thanatomania - obsession with death celestial bodies
cynomania - obsession with dogs altimeter - height of an aircraft above
the ground
narcomania - obsession with drugs
anemometer - wind speed; flow and flow
phagomania - obsession with eating
rate of a fluid.
pyromania - obsession with fire-raising atmometer - rate of evaporation
anthomania - obsession with flowers baroscope - atmospheric pressure
hippomania - obsession with horses bathometer - depth of water in the sea
mythomania - obsession with lying and cathetometer - distance between fluid
exaggerating levels in vertical tubes.
egomania - obsession with oneself chronometer - precise time
ablutomania - obsession with personal clinometer - angle of an incline
cleanliness colorimeter - colours; concentration of
hedonomania - obsession with pleasure solutions by comparison
megalomania/ colours
entheomania - obsession with power crookes radiometer - intensity of radiated light
theomania, - obsession with religion cryometer - extremely low temperatures
plutomania/chrematomania- obsession with riches cyclometer - distance travelled by a
erotomania/nymphomania/ - obsession with sex wheel
satyromania/ monomania - obsession with a single densitometer - optical density; degree of
idea or thing. transparency
kleptomania - obsession with stealing dilatometer - volume expansion of liquids
tomomania - obsession with surgery or gaussmeter - magnetic flux, density
undergoing surgery goniometer - angles, as of crystals.
logomania/verbomania - obsession with talking geiger counter - nuclear radiation
dromomania/hodomania/ hygrometer - humidity
poriomania - obsession with travelling hypsometer - land elevations
ergomania - obsession with work interferometer - wave lengths of light
machmeter - speeds at and beyond the optometrist - eyes and corrective lenses
speed of light psychiatrist - mental and emotional
octant - altitude of celestial bodies disturbances
ondometer - frequency of radio waves psychoanalyst - in the mind of a person
piezometer - high pressures, periodontist - gum
compressibility
planimeter - surface area of a plane
figure DOCTOR - DISEASED PART
pluviometer - rainfall
polarimeter - optical rotation of polarized Doctor Diseased Part
light audiologist - ear
potentiometer - voltages or potential aorist - ear
differences laryngologist - throat
psychrometer - humidity nosologyist - classification of diseases
pycnometer - relative density of liquids otolaryngologist - ear and throat
and solids otologist - ear
pyrheliometer - solar radiation otorhinoloryngologist - ear, nose and throat
saccharometer - sugar content in a solution gastroenterorologist - stomach
salimeter - salt content in a solution opthalmist - eyes
steelyard - weight of heavy loads rheumatologist - diseases of the bones
tacheometer - distance, elevations and dentist - teeth
bearings oncologist - cancer
tellurometer - distances, up to about osteopath - back pain or muscle injury
50 kilometres orthopaedist - bones, muscles, joints
theodolite - distances and elevations
variometer - rate of climb or descent of
an aircraft MEDICINES - WHAT THEY TREAT/CURE
vinometer - alcohol content of wine
MEDICAL PRACTITIONERS Medicines What they treat/cure

analgesic - pain
antacid and gullet ulcers - stomach
Doctor /
antibiotic - bacterial infections
Practitioner Treats Deals With
anticoagulant - in blood clotting
cardiologist - heart problems anticonvulsant - convulsions and epilepsy
dermatologist - skin antihistamine - allergies
gynaecologist - women antipyretic - fever
haematologist - blood antiscorbutic - scurvy
internist - internal diseases antitussive - cough
neurologist - nervous system beta blocker anxiety - anxiety, hypertension
obstetrician - child birth bronchodilator - asthma and other
ophthalmologist - eyes breathing difficulties
oculist - eyes cathartic - constipation
paediatrician - children cytotoxin - tumours
podiatrist - feet decongestant - blocked nasal passages
chiropodist - feet ailments demulcent - mouth ulcers
orthopaedics - skeletal system and associated diuretic - water retention
muscles emetic - poisoning by causing
orthodontist - straightening the teeth vomiting
psychologist - human mind / human behaviour expectorant - phlegm in the air passages
cosmetologist - beauty related problems soporophic - sleeplessness
osteopath - manipulation and massage of paregoric - intestinal pain and
the skeleton and musculature diarrhoea
chiropractor - treatment of joints, especially sulphonamide, tetracycline - bacterial infections
those connected to spinal tranquilliser, sedative - anxiety, tension
column vasodilator - angina
gerontologist - old age and old people
MEDICAL AND SURGICAL INSTRUMENTS AND THEIR USAGE
aspirator - used to remove liquids from a cavity in the body

audiometer - instrument used to measure the sharpness of one’s hearing
bistoury - surgical knife to make small surgical cuts
cannula - a thin tube used to administer medication or drain off fluid
cat scanner - used for X-ray recordings that can create three dimensional images of body tissues
colposcope - used to examine the cervix
defibrillator - used to give an electric shock to restore heart rhythm
dermatome - cut skin for grafting
ecraseur - a wire loop that is tightened to remove tumours
electrocardiograph - to measure and record electrical activity in the heart
electroencephalograph - to measure and record electrical activity in different parts of the brain
electromyography - records the electrical activity of the muscle tissue
endoscope - used to view internal parts of the body
forceps - a pair of pincers used to deliver babies
fiberscope - an instrument for examining the tissues and organs in the body
gastroscope - examines the inside of the stomach
gorget - to remove gall bladder stones
iron lung - used to provide artificial respiration
kymograph - records variations in blood pressure
lancet - a surgical knife used to make incisions in surgery
opthalmoscope - for examining the interior of the eye
osteoclast - to fracture a bone to reset it in order to correct a deformity
otoscope - examines the eardrum
polygraph - records changes in hear-beat, breathing rate and blood pressure
raspatory - used for scraping the bones
retinoscope - examines the eye to check light refraction
retractor - for holding open a surgical incision
scalpel - a knife used for making incisions
snare - a wire loop for severing tumours and polyps
speculum - to dilate an orifice or canal
sphygmomanometer - measures blood pressure
sphygomometer - measures strength of pulse
stethoscope - used to listen to heart beat and breathing
tenaculum - used to lift and hold blood vessels and other prices of tissue
trepan - used for perforating the skull
xyster - scrapes bones
SURGICAL OPERATIONS – BODY PART
Surgical operations Body part laparotomy - abdominal wall

laryngectomy - larynx
amniocentesis - abdominal wall leucotomy/lobotomy- nerve fibres in brain
apicectomy - tooth root lithonephrotomy - kidney stones
appendectomy - appendix masectomy - breast
arterioplasty - artery nectrotomy - dead tissue or bone
autograft - body tissue nephrectomy - kidney
caesarean section - abdominal wall neurotomy - nerve
cholecyslectomy - gall bladder ovriectomy - ovary
cordotomy - nerve fibres in neck orchidectomy - testicles
craniotomy - skull ostectomy - bone
cryosurgery - unwanted tissue otoplasty - ear
cystectomy - bladder phlebotomy - vein
fenestration - ear pneumonectomy - lung
gastrectomy - stomach rhinoplasty - nose
goniopuncture - eye rhizotomy - nerve roots
hepatectomy - liver salpingectomy - fallopian tube
homoplasty - tissue or organs thoractomy - chest cavity
hysterectomy - womb tracheostomy - windpipe
ileostomy - small intestine vasectomy - vein
iridectomy - iris of the eye
labioplasty - lips
MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
Drums
bongo : either of a pair of small long bodied drums held between the knees and played with fingers
conga : a tall, narrow, low-toned drum beaten with the hands
kettledrum : larger bowl shaped drum with a membrane stretched across
pedal drum : kettledrum with pedals
snare drum : small cylindrical drum covered with skin at either end
tabla : Indian drums – a pair of small drums
tabor : small drum beaten by hand
tambourine : small drum with jingles set in the frame
tenor drum : set of two or three kettledrums
tom-tom : oriental drum
String Instruments
aeolian harp : a stringed instrument that produces music when the wind passes through it
balalaika : three stringed guitar-like triangular Russian instrument
bouzouki : mandolin-like Greek folk instrument
cittern : 16th century instrument which looks like a lute
clairschach : ancient Irish harp
dulcimer : instrument with strings stretched over a soundboard and struck with hammers
kithara : ancient Greek lyre with box-shaped frame
kit, pochette : miniature violin formerly used by dancing masters
koto : Japanese, 13 stringed instrument in the shape of a box
lute : a medieval guitar like instrument with a long neck and a pear-shaped body
lyre : harp-like ancient Greek instrument
mandolin : plucked instrument, resembling the lute with paired strings
oud : South African and West Asian lute-like instrument
pandoura : Persian lute with a long neck
rebeck : medieval three stringed instrument played with a bow
samisen : a long three stringed Japanese guitar
sarod : Indian instrument with 2 sets of strings
sitar : long necked Indian lute
theorbo : a two-necked musical instrument of the lute class
ukulele : Hawain guitar, small and four stringed
viol : a medieval six stringed, violin-like instrument
zither : many-stringed central European folk instrument
MISCELLANEOUS MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS
bones : pair of small bones which make a clicking sound

castanets : concave wooden discs or shells clicked together in the hand
claves : wooden sticks beaten together rhythmically
cymbals : pair of metal cone shaped instruments struck against each other
glockenspiel : set of tuned metal bars struck with a small hammer
lithophone : xylophone-like instrument with tuned stones instead of bars
maraca : seed filled gourd or guard shaped container shaken as a percussion instrument
marimba : large, deep pitched xylophone like instrument, played with soft headed hammers
vibraphone : set of tuned metal bars arranged like a keyboard
washboard : board with a ridged metal or wooden surface used as percussion instrument
chinese block : resonant, hollow block of wood struck with wooden sticks
xylophone : set of tuned wooden bars arranged as a keyboard and struck with small hard hammers
MUSICAL COMPOSITIONS
arabesque : short, elaborately ornamented piece

aubade : music thought to be suitable for morning performance
bagatelle : short unpretentious composition
barcarole : song with a rhythm resembling that of a rowing gondola
berceuse : a cradle song
canon : composition often choral where one part is overlapped by other parts in the same or related key
cantata : tunes by a choir, an orchestra or even solo singers
concerto : musical composition for an orchestra or a solo singer
etude : a musical piece designed to practise a particular technique
fugue : a musical composition of counter themes
pastorale : musical rendition by an orchestra which brings to mind a rural scene
prelude : composition that precedes a larger one, on the piano or by an orchestra
requiem : composition for a funeral mass
rhapsody : composition based on folk tunes with no specific form
seranade : music that is thought to be suitable for an evening performance
sonata : instrumental music played by three or four independent instruments
PAINTINGS AND TERMS RELATED TO ART
abstract : a work of art that does not represent any specific object
aquarelle : painting made using transparent water colours
aquatint : a process of etching by which tonal effects are produced
chiaroscuro : contrasting light and shade in a painting
collage : picture made up of a variety of materials pasted onto a surface.
fresco : painting on fresh plaster on a wall or a ceiling
frieze : decorative painting running horizontally all along the wall
gouache : a technique that uses opaque water colours bound with gum
grotesque : decoration that combines animal, human and plant forms
impasto : thick opaque surface paint in oil painting
minimal art : use of geometric shapes and primary colours
montage : picture made up of a number of individual pictures
mural : painting on a wall or a ceiling
opart : an art form that creates the impression of movement by using optical illusions
pastel : drawing or sketch in delicate colours using chalky crayon
pastoral : painting representing rural life
pieta : representation of Virgin Mary
putto : representation of a small boy or angel
secco : painting on dry plaster on a wall or a ceiling
still life : representation of inanimate objects
tempera : paint made of colour mixed with egg white or water
tondo : circular painting
PHILOSOPHIES
Aestheticism : belief that beauty is the basic principle of good in life and underlies morality
Behaviorism : doctrine that behaviour, rather than consciousness is all that can be known or studied
about human nature
Nominalism : a philosophy that believes that essences, universals and abstract concepts exist only in
name and that only actual individual objects exist
Ontology : a philosophy that studies the nature of existence
Perspectivism : the belief that there can be no absolute knowledge of truth
Phenomenalism : belief that the sense perceptions are the only certainty of knowledge
Phenomenology : study of awareness
Positivism : doctrine that knowledge is derived from actual facts
Pragmatism : a doctrine that believes in a practical approach to political or personal dealings
Prescriptivism : the belief that statements about good and evil are not absolute but are moral prescriptions
Rationalism : the belief that knowledge can be acquired only through reason
Reductionism : the doctrine that analyses problems by reducing them to their components
Solipsism : belief that self is the only truth
Stoicism : the belief that man attains virtue by suppressing his emotions
Structuralism : the study of the structure of language rather than its history
Syndicalism : theory supporting government by trade unions or syndicates
Transcendentalism : theory that knowledge is obtained by intuition or reflecting on the reasoning process itself.
Utilitarianism : the doctrine that the greatest good is what produces maximum happiness for the greatest
number of people
POETRY RELATED TERMS
anapaest - a metrical foot consisting of two short unstressed syllables and one long stressed syllable
alternation - a figure of speech in poetry involving the repetition of the same consonant sound
ballad - a story told in verse
blank verse - unrhymed ten-syllable lines
Canto - a part or section of a long poem
eclogue - short pastoral poem often in the form of a dialogue
elegy - poem lamenting the death of a person
envoi - short final stanza of same poems (especially French)
foot - unit of metre in poetry
free verse - verse without metre or rhyme
haiku - Japanese poem of three lines with seventeen syllables
heroic couplet - two lines witty end rhymes and ten syllables
iambic - metre in poetry consisting of one short unstressed syllable, followed by a long stressed
syllable
idyll - short, lyrical, pastoral poem
internal rhyme - rhyme occurring within the line
limerick - short witty poem of five lines, also called nonsense verse
macaronic verse - humorous verse in a language
ode - poem written in praise of someone or something
rondeau - lyrical poem of French origin which uses only two rhymes throughout
stanza - a complete verse
sonnet - poem of 14 lines containing 10 syllables per line
quatrain - a verse of 4 lines in a poem
THEATRE TERMS
amphitheatre : ancient Roman auditorium

décor : stage setting / scenery
loggia : seats in an open balcony
mezzanine : room under the stage
proscenium : performing area in Greek theatre
THERAPIES
acupuncture : puncturing of skin with needles to effect a cure

aromatherapy : treatment to cure disease and influence mood with sweet-smelling oils.
aversiontherapy : linking bad habits with something unpleasant so as to eradicate the habit
chemotherapy : treatment of disease using chemicals
chiropractic : skilful manipulation of the spine to effect various cures
herbalism : use of herbs to cure ailments
homeopathy : use of small amounts of the drug to produce signs of illness in healthy people
hydrotherapy : use of water to cure on illness
hypnotherapy : use of hypnosis to cure physical and mental illnesses
moxibustion : burning of leaves on particular points on the skin, usually along with acupuncture
naturopathy : promoting healthy habits, and using natural remedies to cure disease
osteopathy : manipulation of bones and joints to treat backache and muscle pain
photo therapy : use of light to effect cures, especially tumours
physiotherapy : use of massage and exercise or heat to treat injury or disability
primal therapy : system of making a patient relive pain in order to cure neurotic illnesses
rolfing : use of deep massage to relieve muscular or emotional tension
shiatsu : acupressure to relieve pain and treat disease
zone therapy : massage of special zones in the foot to cure disease in some other part of the body
WEATHER
anticyclone : area of high atmospheric pressure where winds spiral outward

backing : change of wind direction anticlockwise
black ice : thin coating of transparent ice
col : area of intermediate pressure between two anticyclones
convection : an upward movement within the atmosphere which causes a transfer of heat
cyclone : a low pressure centre which causes a tropical storm
dust devil : rapidly swirling column of dust
hurricane : intense tropical storm
isobar : line linking places with the same atmospheric pressure
isohyet : line on a weather map linking places that have the same rainfall
isotherm : line linking places that have the same temperature
tornado : intense cyclone with strong winds
trough : area of low pressure between two areas of higher pressure
typhoon : cyclone in the China Sea
water spout : fast-moving column of cloud and often whipped by a small, intense short-lived low-pressure area
wedge : area of high pressure between two depressions narrower than the ridge
ROOTS
A
acer, acid, acri [bitter, sour, sharp] acerbic (bitter, harsh), bursa [purse, payment] reimburse, disbursements
acerbate (embitter), acidity (sourness), acrid, acrimony (money paid out)
C
acu [sharp] acute, acuate, acupuncture cad, cas [to fall] cadaver, cadence, caducous (falling
off), cascade
ag, agi, ig, act [do, move, go] agent (doer), agenda
(things to do), agile, navigate (move by sea), pedagogue calor [heat] calorie (a unit of heat), calorify (to make
(childmover, teacher), ambiguous (going both ways, not hot), caloric, nonchalant
clear), retroactive, agitate
cande [shine] candor, candelabra, candid
ali, allo, alter [other] alias (a person’s other name),
alternative, alibi, alien (from antoher country), alter cap, cip, cept [take] capable, capacity, capture,
(change to another form), allotment, allocate anticipate, participate, principal, accept, except,
conception, deceptive, perception, conceive, receive,
altus [high, deep] altimeter, exalt, altitude, alto forceps.
am, amor [love, liking] amiable, amorous, enamored capit, capt [head] decapitate (to remove the head from),
capital, captain, caption, recapitulate
anim [mind, will] unanimous, animosity, equanimity,
magnanimous, animal carn [flesh] carnal, carnage, carnivorous (flesh eating).
Incarnate, reincarnation
anni, annu, enni [year] anniversary, annually (yearly),
centennial (occurring once in 100 years), per annum, caus, caut [burn, heat] cauterize, cauldron, caustic
annuity
cause, cuse, cus [cause, motive] because, excuse (to
anthrop [man] anthropoid (man-like, e.g, an ape], attempt to remove the blame or cause, exonerate)
anthropology (study of mankind), misanthrope (hater of accusation
mankind), philanthropic (love of mankind)
ced, ceed, cede, cess [move, yield, go, surrender] cede
antico [old] antique, antiquated, antiquity (yield), antecedent (moving, occurring before), accede,
concede, intercede, precede, recede, secede (move
arch [chief, first, rule] archangel (chief angle), architect aside from), proceed (move forward), success
(chief worker), archaic (first ; very early), archieves,
monarchy (rule by one person), matriarchy (rule by the chrom [colour] chrome (color purity), chromatic,
mother), patriarchy (rule by the father), archaeology chromosome (colour body in genetics) Kodashreme,
monoclorme (one colour), polychrome (many coloured)
aster, astr [star] aster (star flower), asterisk, asteroid,
disaster (originally a bad happening from a contrary chron [time] chronological (in order of time),
influence by a star), astrology (lit, star-speaking; chronometer (time-measured) chronicle (record of
pseudoscience of influence by stars and planets), events in time), synchronize (make time with, set time
astronomy (star law), astronaut (lit., star traveller ; space together), anachronism (lit., back in time; anything
traveller) backwards in historical time)
aud, aus [hear, listen] audible (cn be, heard), cide [kill] suicide (self-killer or self-killing), homicide
auditorium, audio, audition, audience, auditory, (man, human killer or killing), genocide (race killing),
auscultate tyrannicide (tyrant killer or tyrant killing), pesticide (pest
killer), germicide (germ killer), insecticide (insect killer)
aug, auc [increae] augment, auction, augur
cise [cut] decide (cut off uncertainity), precise (cut
auto, aut [self] automobile (self-moving vehicle),
exactly right), concise, incision, scissors, criticize
autograph (self-writing;signature), automatic (self-
acting), autonomy (lit., self-laws; self-government), cit [to call, start] incite, citation, cite
autobiography (lit., self-life writing)
B civ [citizen] civic (relating to a citizen), civil, civilian,

belli [war] rebellion, belligerent [warlike or hostile), civvies (citizen clothing), civilization
bellicose
calm, claim [cry out] exclamation, clamor, proclamation,
bibl [book] Bible, bibliography [writing, list of books), reclamation, acclamation, declamation , claim
bibliophile (book lover)
clemen [merciful] inclement (not merciful), clemency,
bio [life] biology (study of live things), amphibious, clement
biography, biophysics, biopsy (cutting living tissue for
examination), microbe(small, microscopic living thing), clud, clus, claus [shut] include (to take in), recluse (one
biogenesis who shuts himself away from others), claustrophobia
(*abnormal fear of being shut up, confined), conclude,
breve [short] breve, brevity, abbreviate, brief include, preclude, seclude, close, closet
cognose, gnosi [know] prognosis (forward knowing), layer), taxidermy (arranging skin; mounting animals)
diagnosis (thorough knowledge), recognize (to know
again), incognito (not known), agnostic (not knowing dic, dict [say, speak] diction (how one speaks, what one
about God) says), dictionary, dictate, dictator, dictum (a saying),
dictaphone, dictagraph, dictatorial, edict, predict, verdict,
cosm [universe, world] cosmos (the universe), cosmic, contradict, adjudicate (to speak the law, to judge),
cosmology, cosmopolitan (world citizen), cosmonaut, benediction
microcosm, macrocosm domin [master] dominate, dominion, domain,
predominanat, Anno Domini (in the year of our Lord,
cord, cor, card [heart] cordial (hearty, heartfelt), accord, abbreviated A.D)
concord, discord, record, courage, encourage (put heart
into), discourage (take heart out of), core, coronary, don [give] donate (make a gift), condone
cardiac
dorm [sleep] dormant, dormitory
corp [body] corporation (a legal body), corpse, corps,
corporal, corpulent dox [opinion, praise] doxy (belief, creed or ism),
orthodox (having the correct, commonly accepted
crat [rule, strength] autocracy, democratic opinion), heterodox (differing opinion; contrary, self-
contradictory), doxology (statement or song of praise),
cresc, cret, crease cru [rise, grow] crescendo (growing paradox
in loudness or intensity), crescent, (growing, like the
moon in first quarter), accretion, concrete (grown drome [to run, step] syndrome (run together; symptoms)
together, solidified), increment (amount of growth) hippodrome (a place where horses run)
increase, decrease, accrue (to grow, as interest in
money) duc, duct [lead] duke (leader), induce (lead into,
persuade), seduce (lead aside); traduce (lead across in
crea [create] creature (anything created), recreation, public disgrace, vilify), aquaduct (water leader, artificial
creation, creator channel), subdue, ductile (easily drawn out or hammered
thin), viaduct, conduct, conduit, produce, reduce,
cred [believe] creed (statement of beliefs), credo (a educate
creed), credence (belief), credit (belief, trust), credulous
(believing too readily, easily deceived) credentials dura [hard, lasting] durable, duration, duramen,
(statements that promote belief, trust), incredible endurance
crit [separate, choose] critical, criterion (that which is dynam [power] dynamo (power producer), dynamic,
used in choosing), diacritical, hypocrisy dynamite, hydrodynamics (lit., water power), dyne (unit
of power, force), dynamometer, dynasty (power, rule be
cub, cumb [lie down, lean back] incubate (to hatch by successive members of a family)
keeping), encumber (to place a burden upon),
cumbersome, succumb, incumbent) E
end, endo [within] endoral (within the mouth),
cur, curs [run] current (running or flowing), concurrent, endocardial (within the heart), endoskeletal, endoplasm
concur (run together, agree), curriculum (lit., a running, a
course), cursory (done hastily, “on the run”), incur (run erg [work] energy, erg (unit of work), allergy, ergophobia
into), precursor {forerunner}, recur, occur, courier (morbid fear of work), ergometer, ergograph
cura [care] manicure (caring for the hands), curator, equi [equal] equinox, equilibrium
curative F
cus, cuse (see cause) fac, fact, fic, fect [do, make] factory (the place where
workmen are employed in making goods of various
cycl, cyclo [wheel, circular] Cyclops (a mythical giant kinds), fact (a thing done, a deed), facsimile,
with one eye in the middle of his forehead), cyclone facility,manufacture, faculty, amplification, affect
(a wind blowing circularly ; a tornado), unicycle, bicycle
fall, fals [deceive] fallacious, falsify, fallacy
D
deca [ten] decade, Decalogue, decapod (ten feet), fer [bear, carry] ferry (carry by water), odoriferous
Decapolis, decathlon (bearing an odor), coniferous (bearing cones, as a pine
tree), pestiferous (bearing disease), fertile (bearing
dem [people] democracy (people-rule), demagogue richly), defer, infer, refer, suffer (bear under, as under
(people-leader, one who stirs up people for selfish ends), yoke), referee, referendum, circumference, deference,
demography (vital statistics of the people: deaths, births, Lucifer (light bearer)
etc.), epidemic (on or among the people; general),
pandemonium fic, fect (see fac)
dent, dont [tooth] dental (relating to teeth), orthodontist fid, fide, feder [faith, trust] fidelity, confident, confidante,
(a dentist who practices orthodontia), denture, dentifrice infidelity, infidel, fiduciary (held in trust, confidential),
perfidy (breaking faith), bona fide (in good faith), federal,
derm [skin] hypodermic (under skin; injected under the confederacy, Fido
skin), dermatology (skin study), epidermis (on skin; outer
fila, fili [thread] filament (a threadlike conductor heated course), graduated (in steps or degrees), aggressive
by electrical current), filiform (having the shape of a (stepping toward, pushing), transgress (step across
thread), filter, filet limits, break a law), congress (a going together,
assembly), degradation
fin [end, ended, finished] final, finite, infinite, finish,
confine, fine, refine, define, finale graph, gram [write, written] graphy, graphic (written;
vivid), autograph (self-writing, signature), photography
fix [fix] fix (a difficult position), transfix (to hold (light-writing) graphite (carbon used for writing),
motionless), fixation (the state of being attached), fixture, phonograph (sound-writing), bibliography, monograph
affix, prefix, suffix (writing on one subject), telegram (for writing), epigram,
flex, flect [bend] flex (bend), reflex (bending back), diagram, cablegram, monogram, seismography,
flexible, flexor (muscle for bending), inflexibility, reflect, cartography
deflect, genuflect (bend the knee) grat [pleasing] congratulate (express pleasure over
success), gratis (as a favor, free), gratuitous (gratis),
flu, fluc, fluv [flowing] influence (to flow in), fluctuate (to gratuity (mark of favor, a tip), grateful, gracious, ingrate
wave in an unsteady motion), fluviograph (instrument for (not thankful; hence, unpleasant), ingratiate
measuring the flow of rivers), fluid, flue, flush, fluently,
affluent grav [heavy, weighty] grave, gravity, aggravate, gravitate
form [form, shape] form, uniform, conform, deform,
greg [herd, group, crowd] gregarian (belonging to a
reform, perform, formative, formation, formal, formula
herd), congregation (a group functioning together),
fort, forc [strong] fort, fortress (a strong point, fortified), segregative (tending to group aside or apart),
fortify (make strong), forte (one’s strong point), forte aggregation
(strong, loud in music), fortitude (strength for
endurance), force, effort, comfort, pianoforte, force H
(power) hab, habit [have, live] habitat (the place in which one
lives), inhabit to live in; to establish as residence),
fract, frag [break] fracture (a break), infraction, fragile rehabilitate, habitual
(easy to break), fraction (result of breaking a whole into
equal parts), refract (to break or bend, as a light ray), helio [sun] heliograph (an instrument for using the sun’s
refractive, fragment rays), heliotrope (a plant which turns to the sun)
fum [smoke] fume (smoke; odour) fumigate (destroy hema, hemo [blood] hematid (red blood corpuscle),
germs by smoking them out), perfume hemotoxic (causing blood poisoning), hemorrhage,
hemoglobin, hemophilia, hematose
G
gam [marriage] bigamy (two marriages), monogamy, here, has [stick] adhere, cohere, inherent
polygamy (lit., many marriages), exogamy, endogamy,
gamete, gambit hetero [different] heterogeneous (different in birth;
miscellaneous), heterodox, heterochromatic (of different
gastro [stomach] gastric, gastronomic, gastritis colors), heteromorphic (of different forms), superhetrodyne,
(inflammation of the stomach) heterosexual (with interest in opposite sex)
gen [birth, race, produce] genesis (birth, beginning),
homo [same] homogeneous (of same birth or kind),
Genesis, genus, genetics (study of heredity), eugenics (lit.,
homonym (word with same name or pronunciation as
well-born), genealogy (lineage by race, stock), generate,
another), homosexual (with sex desire for those of the same
progeny (offspring), genitals (the reproductive organs),
sex), homologous (same-minded, agreeing), homogenize
congenital (existing as such at birth), indigenous (born,
growing or produced naturally in a region or country), hum, human [earth, ground, man] humility (quality of
genetic, hydrogen (lit., water-borne element) lowliness), humane (marked by sympathy, compassion,
geo [earth] geometry (earth measurement), geography for other human beings and animals), humus, exhume,
(lit., earth-writing), geocentric (earth centered), geology, humanity
geochemistry, geophysics
hypn [sleep] hypnoidal (relating to hypnosis or sleep),
germ [vital part] germination (to grow), germ of an idea), hypnosis, Hypnos (god of sleep), hypnotherapy
germane (treatment of disease by hypnosis)
gest [carry, bear] congest (bear together, clog), hydr, hydro, hydra [water] dehydrate (take water out of;
suggestion (mental process by which one thought leads dry), hydrant (water faucet), hydraulic (pertaining to water or
to another), congestive (causing congestion), gestation, to liquids), hydraulics, hydrogen, hydrophobia, hydroelectric
suggestion, gesture
Ι
gloss, glot [tongue] polygot (many tongues), epiglottis, ignis [fire] ignite, igneous, ignition
glossary, glottic
J
glue, glo [lump, bond, glue] conglomerate (bond ject [throw] deject, inject, project (throw forward), eject,
together), agglutinate (make to hold in a bond) object, ejaculate
grad, gress [step, go] grade (step, degree), gradual join, junct [join] junction (act of joining), enjoin (to lay an
(step by step), graduate (make all the steps, finish a
order upon; to command), juncture, conjunction, joint, M
adjoining, injunction magn [great] magnify (make great, enlarge),
magnificent, magnanimous (great of mind or spirit),
jud, judi, judic [judge, lawyer] judge (a public officer magnate, magnitude, magnum
who has the authority to give a judgement), abjudicate
(reject the case, judicial (relating to a administration of man [hand] manual, manage, manufacture, manacle,
justice), judicious, prejudice manicure, manifest, manedver, emancipate
jur, jus [law] justice (a just judgement; as justice must be mand [command] mandatory (commanded), remand
served), conjure (to swear together; to imagine; to entreat; (order back), writ of mandamus (written order from a
as, conjure the king to be merciful), juror, jurisdiction court), countermand (order against, cancelling a
previous order), mandate
juven [young] juvenile, juvenescent (becoming young), mania [madness] mania (insanity; craze; excessive
rejuvenate (to make young again) craving), monomania (mania on one idea), kleptomania
L (thief mania; abnormal tendency to steal), pyromania
later [side, broad] lateral, latitude (insane tendancy to set fire) dipsomania (uncontrollable
craving for alcoholic drink), manic, maniac
laut, lav, lot, lut [wash] lavish (flowing like water), dilute
mar, mari, mer [sea, pool] mermaid (fabled marine
(to make a liquid thinner and weaker) ablution
creature, half fish), marine (a sailor serving on
(a washing away), launder (to wash and iron clothes),
shipboard), marsh (wet land, swamp), maritime (relating
lavatory, laundry, lotion, deluge
to the sea and navigation)
leg [law] legal (lawful; according to law), legislate (to matri, matro, matric [mother] matrimony (state of
enact a law), legislature (a body of persons who can wedlock), maternal (relating to the mother), matriarchate
make laws), legitimise (make legal), legacy (rulership of a woman), matris (mother goddess of the
letter, lit, liter, litera (letters) litany (prayer consisting of Hindu deities), matron, metropolic (the mother city)
invocations and responses), literary (concerned with medi [half, middle, between, halfway] mediate (come
books and writing), literature (the best works written between, intervene), medieval (pertaining to the middle
during the century), literal, alliteration, obliterate ages), mediterranean (lying between lands), medium
(a person having the faculty to make contact with the
levis (light) alleviate (lighten a load), levitate, levity
super natural), mediocre
lic, licit [permit, license] (freedom to act), licit (permitted; mega [great] megaphone (great sound), megacephalic
lawful; conceded), illicit (not permitted), licentious (taking (great-headed), megalith, megalopolis (great city; an
liberties; disregarding rules, especially in morals) extensive urban area including a number of cities),
lith [stone] monolith (one stone, a single mass), megacycle (a million cycles), megaton (force of a million
lithography (stone writing, printing from a flat stone or tons of TNT), omega (great)
metal plate), neolithic (new stone, of the later stone age), mem [remember] memorandum (a note; a reminder),
paleolithic (ancient stone) commemoration (the act of observing by a memorial or
ceremony), memento, memoir, memo, memorable
liver, liber [free] liberal (relating to liberty), delivery
(freedom; liberation), liberalize (to make more free: as, to meter [measure] meter (a measure), gravimeter
liberalize the mind from prejudice), deliverance (instrument for measuring weight and density),
loc, loco [place] locomotion (act of moving from place to voltameter (instrument to measure volts in an electric
place), locality (locale: neighborhood), allocate (to assign; circuit), barometer, thermometer
to place; apportion), relocate to put back into their homes) micro [small] microscope, microfilm, microcard,
microwave, micrometer (device for measuring very small
log, logo, ology [word, study, speech] Logo (the word,
distance), micron (a millionth of a meter), microbe (small
Jesus), logic (orig., speech: then reasoning), prologue,
living thing), microorganism, omicron (small)
epilogue, dialogue, catalogue, logorrhea (a flux of words;
excessively wordy), zoology (animal study), psychology migra [wander] migrate (to wander), emigrant (one who
(mind study), theology (god study) leaves a country), immigrate (to come into the land to
settle), migratory (one who roves; a wanderer)
loqu, locut [talk, speak] eloquent (speaking out well and
forecefully), loquacious (talkative), colloquial (talking mit, miss [send] emit (send out, give off), remit (send
together; conversational or informal), obloquy back, as money due), submit, admit, commit, permit,
(a speaking against, a reproach), circumlocution (talking transmit (send across), omit, intermittent (sending
around a subject), soliloquy between, at intervals), mission, missile
luc, lum, lus, lun [light] Luna (the moon goddess), mob, mot, mov [move] mobile (capable of moving),
lumen (a unit of light), luminary (a heavenly body; motionless (without motion), motor (that which imparts
someone who shines in his profession), translucent motion; source of mechanical power), emotional (moved
(letting light come through), lustre (sparkle; gloss; glaze), strongly by feelings), motivate, promotion, demote
illuminate
mon [warn, remind] admonish (warn), admonition,
lude [play] ludicrous, prelude (before play), interlude monitor,premonition (forewarning), monument (a
reminder or memorial of a person or event), reminisce
l
monstr, mist [show] demonstrate (to display; show) oper [work] opera (a work which has been set to music
muster (to gather together; collect; put on display) and is sung instead of spoken), operate (to labor;
demonstration, monstrosity function), opus (a musical composition or work),
morph [form] amorphous (with no form, shapeless), cooperate (work together)
anthropomorphic (man form), Morpheus (the shaper, god
ortho [straight, correct] orthodox (of the correct or
of dreams), morphine (drug making sleep and dreams),
accepted opinion), orthodontist (tooth straightener),
metamorphosis (a change of form, as a caterpillar into a
butterfly), morphidite orthopedic (originally pertaining to straightening a child),
orthography (correct writing, spelling), unorthodox
mori, mort, mors [mortal, death] mortal (causing death or
destined for death), immortal (not subject to death), oss, osteo [bone] ossicle (a small bone), ossification
mortality (rate of death), immortality, mortician (one who (the process of making into bone), osteopath (one who
buries the dead), mortification (lit., made dead; shame; practices osteopathy), osteoporosis (a condition in old
chagrin), mortuary; (place for the dead a morgue), remorse age when bones become porous and fragile)
multi, multus [many, much] multifold (folded many
times), multilinguist (one who speaks many languages), P
multiped (an organism with many feet), multiply (to pac [peace] pacifist (one for peace only; opposed to
increase a number quickly by multiplication) war), pacify (make peace, quiet), Pacific Ocean
N (peaceful ocean)
nasc, nat [to be born, to spring forth] nature (the pan [all] Pan American, panacea (cureall),
essence of a person or a thing), innate (inborn, inherent pandemonium (place of all the demons; wild disorder),
in), international (between or among nations), pandemic, panchromatic (sensitive to all colors),
renascence (a rebirth; a revival), natal, native, nativity pantheism (all-god belief; belief that God is all and all is
God), pantheon (temple of all gods)
neur [nerve] neuritis (inflammation of a nerve),
pater, part [father] patriarch (the head of the tribe, family),
neuropathic (having a nerve disease), neurologist (one
patron (a wealthy person who supports as would a father),
who practices neurology), neural, neurosis, neurotic
paternity (fatherhood, responsibility, etc.), patriot
nom [law, order] autonomy (self-law, self-government), path, pathy [feeling, suffering] pathos (feeling of pity,
astronomy, Deuteronomy (lit., second law, as given by sorrow), pathetic, sympathy, antipathy (against feeling),
Moses), gastronomy (lit., stomach law; art of good apathy (without feeling), empathy (feeling or identifying
eating), agronomy (lit., field law; crop production), with another), telepathy (far feeling; through
economy (household law, management) transference), pathogenic (disease being born; causing
suffering or disease)
nomen, nomin [name] nomenclature, nominate, nominal
ped, pod [foot] pedal (lever for a foot), impede (get the
nounce, nunci [warn, declare] announcer (one who feet in a trap, hinder), impediment, pedestal (foot or base
makes announcements publicly), enunciate of a statue), pedestrian (foot traveller), centipede, tripod
(to pronounce carefully), pronounce (declare; articulate), (three-footed support), podiatry (care of the feet),
renounce (retract; reoke), denounce antipodes (opposite feet; parts of the earth diametrically
opposed), podium (platform for a performer)
nov [new] novel (new; strange; not formerly known),
renovate (to make like new again), novice, nova, pedo [child] orthopedic, pedagogue (child leader,
innovate teacher), pedant (narrow-minded teacher), pediatrics
(medical care of children)
nox, noc [night] nocturnal, equinox (equal nights), pel, puls [drive, urge] compel, dispel, expel, repel, impel,
noctiluca (something which shines by night) propel, pulse, impulse, pulsate, compulsory, expulsion,
repulsive
null [none] null, nullification, nullify, nullifidian (one who
has no faith), nulliparous pend, pens, pond [hang, weigh] pendant (a hanging
object), appendix, pendulum, depend, impend, suspend,
number, numer [number] numeral (a figure expressing perpendicular, pending, dispense, pensive (weighing
a number), numeration (act of counting), numberable thought), appendage, ponderous (weighty)
(can be numbered), enumerate (count out, one by one),
innumerable phan, phen, [show, appear] phantom, phenomenal,
fantasy
O
omni [all every] omnipotent (all powerful), omniscient (all phemi [speak] euphemism (speak well of), prophet
knowing), omnipresent (present everywhere), phil [love] philosophy (love of wisdom), philanthropy,
omnivorous (all eating), omnibus, (covering all things) philharmonic, bibliophile, Philip, Philadelphia (city of
brotherly love)
onus [burden] onerous (burdensome), onus, exonerate
(to take out or take away a burden) phobia (fear) phobia (abnormal fear), claustrophobia
(fear of closed places), acrophobia, (fear of high places),
onym [name]anonymous (without a name), pseudonym
photophobia (fear of light), aquaphobia (fear of water),
(false name), antonym (against name; word of opposite
meaning), synonym pyrophobia (fear of fire)
phon [sound] phonograph, phonetic (pertaining to prim, prime [first] primacy (state of being first in rank),
sound), phonology, symphony (sounds with or together), prima donna (the first lady of opera), primitive (from the
polyphonic (having many sounds or tunes), dictaphone, earliest or first time), primary, primal
euphony (pleasing sound)
proto [first] prototype, protocol, protagonist, protozoan
photo [light] photograph (light-writing), photoelectric, psych [mind, soul] psyche (soul, mind), psychic
photoflash, photogenic (artistically suitable for being (sensitive to forces beyond the physical), psychiatry
photographed), photometer (light meter), photon (a (healing of the mind), psychology, psychopath (mind
quantum of light energy), photosynthesis (action of light feeling; one with mental disease), psychosis (serious
on chlorphyll to make carbohydrates) mental disorder), psychotherapy (mind treatment),
psychogenic (of psychic birth, origin)
pict [paint] pictograph (writing with pictures or symbols),
picture (make a mental image), depiction (the act of punct [point, dot] punctual (being exactly on time),
depicting or representing), picturesque, pictorial punctum (a dot; a point), compunction (remorse; points
of guilt), punctuation, puncture, acupuncture
plac, plais [please] placid (calm, unruffled), placatory
(appeasing, soothing), placebo, placate, complacent put [think] computer a (computing or thinking machine),
(self-satisfied) deputy, reputable (honourable; estimable; a thinker),
dispute, repute
plenus [full] plenary, replenish, plentiful, plenteous
Q
plic, pli, ply [fold] inexplicable, pliable, implicate
quies [be at rest] acquiesce, quiescent, quiet
plu, plur, plus [more] plus (indicating that something is R
to be added), plural (more than one), pluralist (one who reg, recti [straighten] regular, rectify (make straight),
holds two or more jobs), plurisyllabic (having more than regiment, rectangle, correct, direct, erect, incorrigible
one syllable)
ri, ridi, risi [laughter] ridicule (laughter at the expense of
pneuma, pneumon [breath] pneumatic (pertaining to air, another; mockery), deride (make mock of; jeer at), risible
wind or other gases), pneumonia (disease of the lungs), (likely to laugh), ridiculous
pneumatogram (tracing of respiratory movements)
rog, roga [ask] prerogative (privilege; asking before),
pod (see ped) interrogation (questioning; the act of questioning),
surrogate, derogatory
poli [city] metropolis (mother city; main city), police,
politics, Indianapolis, megalopolis, Acropolis (high city, rupt [break] rupture (break), interrupt (break into), abrupt
fortifield upper part of Athens), cosmopolite (world (broken off), disrupt (break apart), erupt (break out),
citizen) incorruptible (unable to be broken down)
pon, pos, pound [place, put] postpone (put afterward), S
component, opponent (one put against), proponent, salv, salu [safe, healthy] salvation (act of being saved),
depose, expose, impose, purpose, propose deposit, salvage (that which is saved after appearing to be lost),
deposition, expound, compound, posture (how one salvable, salubrious (healthy) salutary (promoting
places himself), position, post health), salute (wish health to)
pop [people] population (the number of people in an sat, satis [enough] sate (to satisfy, sate with food),
area), Populist (a member of the Populist party), satisfy (to give pleasure to; to give as much as is
populous (full of inhabitants), popular needed), satient (giving pleasure, satisfying), satiate,
saturate
port [carry] porter (one who carries), portable, transport,
(carry across), report, export, import support, comport sci [know] science (knowledge), conscious (knowing,
deportment (how one carries himself, behaves), portage, aware), omniscient (knowing everything), prescient
transportation, port, disport (knowing beforehand)
portion [part, share] portion (a part; a share, as a portion scope [see, watch] scope (extent one can see),
of a pie), proportion (the relation of one share to others), telescope, microscope, kaleidoscope (instrument for
portionless (without portion; without dowry) seeing beautiful forms), periscope, horoscope (hour
watcher), Episcopal (overseeing; pertaining to a bishop),
posse, potent [power] posse (an armed band; a force stethoscope
with legal authority), possible, potent, potentate,
omnipotent, impotent scrib, script [write] scribe (a writer), scribble, inscribe,
describe, subscribe, prescribe, ascribe, scrivener,
prehend [seize] apprehend (size a criminal, seize an manuscript (written by hand), scripture (the Bible)
ideal), comprehend (seize with the mind),
comprehensible, comprehensive (seizing much, sed, sess, sid [sit] sedentary (characterized by sitting),
extensive), reprehensible (needing to be seized back, sedate (sitting settled, dignified), preside (sit before),
rebuked) president, reside, subside, sediment (that which sits or
settles out of a liquid), session (a sitting), obsession
(an idea that sits stubbornly in the mind), possess
6sent, sens [feel] sentiment (feeling), presentiment spond, spons [pledge, answer] sponsor (one who
(feeling beforehand), assent, consent, resent, dissent, pledges responsibility to a project), correspond (to
sentimental (having strong feeling or emotion), sense, communicate by letter; sending and receiving answers),
sensation, sensitive, sensory, dissension irresponsible, respond
sen [old] senior, senator, senescent (growing old), senile stereo [solid] stereotype ( to fit in lasting form), stereome
(old, showing the weakness of old age) (strengthening tissue in plants), stereograph
sequ, secu, sue [follow] sequence (following of one
string, strict [draw, tight] stringent (draw tight, rigid),
thing after another), sequel, consequence, subsequent,
astringent (drawing tightly, as skin tissue), strict, restrict,
obsequious (blindly following), prosecute, execute,
constrict (draw tightly together), boa constrictor (a snake
consecutive (following in order), ensue, pursue, second
that constricts its prey)
(following first)
stru, struct [build] structure, construct, instruct, obstruct,
serv [save, serve] servant, service, subservient,
construe (build in the mind, interpret), destroy,
servitude, servile, reservation, preserve, conserve,
destruction, instrument (originally, a tool for building)
deserve, observe, conservation
sume, sump [take, use, waste] assume (to take; to use),
sign, signi [sign, mark, seal] signal (a gesture or sign to
consume (to use up), presume (to take upon oneself
call attention), signature (the mark of a person written in
before knowing for sure), presumption, sump pump
his own handwriting), design, insignia (distinguishing
(a pump which takes up water)
marks), signify
T
silic [flint] silicon (a non-metallic element found in the tact, tang, tag, tig, ting [touch] contagious
earth’s crust), silicosis (a disease prevalent among (transmission, of disease by touching) contact (touch),
miners and stone cutters who breathe much dust) tact (sense of touch for the appropriate), intact
(untouched, uninjured), intangible (not able to be
simil, simul [like, resembling] similar (resembling in touched), tangible, contingent (touching together,
many respects), simulate (pretend; put on an act to depending on something), tactile
make a certain impression), simulation (pretence;
counterfeit display), assimilate (to make similar to), techni [skill, art] technician (one who is skilled in the
simile mechanical arts), pyrotechnics (display of fireworks),
technique, technology
sist, sta, stit, stet [stand] assist (to stand by with help),
circumstance, stamina (power to withstand, to endure), tele [far] telephone (far sound), telegraph (far writing),
persist (stand firmly; unyielding; continue), stanchion telegram, telescope (far look), television (far seeing),
(a standing brace or support), substitute (to stand in for telephoto (far photograph), telecast, telepathy (far
feeling), teletype, teleprompter
another), status (standing), state, static, stable,
stationary tempo [time] tempo (rate of speed), protem (for the time
4
being), extemporaneously, contemporary (those who live
solus [alone] solo, soliloquy, solitaire, solitude
at the same time), temporary, temporal
solv, solu [loosen] solven; (a loosener, a dissolver),
ten, tin, tain [hold] tenacious (holding fast), tenant,
solve, solvency, insolvency, absolve (loosen from, free
tenure, untenable, detention, retentive, content,
from), resolve, soluble, solution, resolution, resolute,
pertinent, continent, obstinate, abstain, contain, pertain,
dissolute (loosened morally)
detain, obtain, maintain
somnus [sleep] somnific, insomnia (not being able to
tend, tent, tens [stretch, strain] tendency (a stretching;
sleep), somnambulant (a sleepwalker)
leaning), extend, intend, contend, pretend, superintend,
tender, tent, tension (a stretching, strain, tense, tensile,
soph [wise] sophomore (wise fool), philosophy (love of
attention
wisdom), sophisticated (worldly wise), sophistry, sophist,
theosophy (wise about God) terra [earth] territory, terrestrial, terrain, terrarium
sphere [ball, sphere] sphere (a planet; a ball),
test [to bear witness] testament (a will; bearing witness
stratosphere (the upper portion of the atmosphere),
to someone’s wishes), detest, attest (certify; affirm; bear
hemisphere (half of the earth), biosphere, spheroid
witness to), testimony, contest, intestate
spec, spect, spic [look] specimen (an example to look
the, theo [God, a god] monotheism (belief in one god),
at, study), specific, spectator (one who looks) spectacle,
polytheism (belief in many gods), atheism (a belief that
speculate, aspect, expect, inspect, respect, prospect,
there is no god), pantheism (a belief that God is in all
retrospective, (looking backwards), suspect (look under), things), theology.
perspective, circumspect, introspective, conspicuous
despicable therm [heat] therm (heat unit), thermic, thermal,
thermostat (heat plus stationary; a device for keeping
spir [breathe] spirit (lit., breath), conspire (breathe heat constant), hypothermia (subnormal body
together;plot), inspire (breathe into), aspire (breathe temperature), thermonuclear
toward), expire (breathe out, die), aspirant, perspire,
respiration
thesis, thet [place, put] antithesis (place against), adventure, invent, subvention, venturesome, convent,
hypothesis (place under), synthesis, (put together), inventory, venture, venue, event, eventually, souvenir,
epithet contravene (come against) avenue, advent, convenient,
tom [cut] atom (not cutable; the smallest particle of prevent
matter), appendectomy (cutting out an appendix),
tonsillectomy, epitome (cut on; a summary), dichotomy ver, veri [true] verify (truth), very, verify (show to be
(cutting in two; a division), anatomy (cutting, dissecting true), verisimilitude, aver (say to be true, affirm), verdict
to study structure)
vert, vers [turn] avert (turn away), divert (turn aside,
tort, tors [twist] torsion (act of twisting, as a torsion bar), amuse), invert (turn over), introvert (turn inward, one
torture (twisting to inflict pain), retort (twist back, reply interested in his own reactions), extrovert (turn outward,
sharply), extort (twist out), distort (twist out of shape), one interested in what is happening outside himself),
contort, tortuous (full of twists, as a mountain road) controversy (a turning against; a dispute), reverse,
versatile (turning easily from one skill to another),
tox [poison] toxic, intoxicate, antitoxin convertible, adversary, adverse
tract, tra [draw, pull] tractable (can be handled), abstract vest [clothe, to dress] vest (an article of clothing;
(to draw away), tractor, attract, subtract, subtrahend (the vestment), investor (one who has laid out money for
number to be drawn away from another) profit), travesty, vestry, vestment
trib [pay, bestow] tribute (a fine paid to a conquering vic, vicis [change, substitute] vicarious, vicar, vicissitude
power), distribute (to divide among many), redistribute,
contribute (to give money to a cause), attribute, vict, vinc [conquer] victor (conqueror, winner), evict
retribution, tributary (conquer out, expel), convict (prove guilty), convince
trophy [nourishment, development] dystrophy (badly (conquer mentally, persuade), invincible (not able to be
nourished), atrophy conquered), evince, eviction
tui, tuit, tut [guard, teach] tutor (one who teaches a vid, vis [see] video (television), vision, evident, provide,
pupil), tuition (payment for instruction or teaching fees), providence, visible, revise, supervise (oversee), vista,
intuent (knowing by intuition) visit, visage
turbo [disturb] turbulent, turmoil, disturb, turbid viv, vita, vivi [alive, life] revive (make live again), survive
(live beyond, outlive), vivid (full of life), vivify (enliven),
typ [print] type, prototype (first print, model), typical, convivial (fond of “living it up” with friends), vivisection
typography, typewriter, typology (study of types, (surgery on a living animal), vitality, vivacious (full of life)
symbols), typify
voc [call] vocation (a calling), avocation (occupation not
U one’s calling), convocation (a calling together),
ultima [last] ultima (last; final; most remote), ultimate invocation (calling it), evoke, provoke, revoke, advocate,
(man’s last destiny), ultimatum (the final or last offer that provocative, vocal, vocation, vocabulary
can be made)
vol [will] malevolent, benevolent (one of good will),
unda [wave, flow] abundant, inundate, undulation, redundant volunteer, volition
uni [one] unicorn (a legendary creature with one horn), vola [to fly] volatile (able to fly off or vaporize), volley,
uniface (a design that appears only on one side), unify volery, volitant
(make into one), university, unanimous, universal
V volvo [turn about, roll] voluble (easily turned about or
vac [empty] vacate (to make empty), vacuum (a space around), voluminous, volution, revolt
entirely devoid of matter), evacuate (to remove troops or
people), vacation, evacuee, vacant vor [eat greedily] voracious, carnivorous (flesh-eating),
herbivorous (plant-eating), omnivorous (eating
vale, vali, valu [strength, worth, valor] valor (value; everything), devour (eat greedily)
worth), validity (truth; legal strength), equivalent (of equal
worth), evaluate (find out the value; appraise actual Z
worth), valedictorian, valiant, value Zo [animal] zoo (short for zoological garden), zoology
(study of animal life), zoomorphism (attributing animal
ven, vent [come] convene (come together, assemble), form to God), zodiac (circle of animal constellations),
intervene (come between), circumvent (coming around), protozoa (first animal; one-celled animals)
SOME MORE ROOTS
am / ami – words: Amateur, Amiable, Amicable cept / ceive – words: Concept
meaning: love, friend meaning: catch, seize, take, take hold of
some other words: amateur, amatory, amour, amorous, some other words: accept, perception, perceive, receive,
enamored, inamorata, paramour, amiable, amicable, inception, intercept, conceive, conception
amicicide, amity, unamiable
circ – words: Circumspect
ambul – words: Anteambulate meaning: ring, wheel, round some other words: circle,
meaning: walk, take steps, move around encircle, circadian, circuit, circulate, circumspect,
some other words: amble, ambulate, ambulant, circumference, circumvent, circumstance, circumnavigate,
ambulance, ambulatory, ambulophobia, anteambulate, circumlocution, circumflex, circumscribe
circumambulate, funambulate, noctambulist,
cogn / cogni – words: Cognate
somnambulist, perambulate, preamble
meaning: know, learn
some other words: cognition, cognisance, cognoscente,
ante – words: Anteambulate, Antediluvian
incognito, precognition, recognition
meaning: before, in front of, prior to, forward
some other words: antebellum, antecedents,
coll – words: Collateral
anthrop – words: Misanthrope meaning: glue, adherent, related
meaning: human some other words: collate, collage, colleague, collect,
some other words: anthropology, anthropomorphism, college, collide, collocate, collude
anthropophagy, philanthropy con / com – words: Concept, Unconscientious,
Uncongenial, Connected, Conceded
apo / apho – words: Apostles, Apocryphal, Apocalyptic, meaning: with, jointly, together
Aphorism some other words: concur, contemporary, convention,
meaning: away, off, separate (far, extreme) concur, contemporary, convention, common
some other words: apology, apostrophe, apotheosis, cred – words: Credible, Discreditable
apogee, apoplexy, apostate meaning: believe, belief, faith, confidence, trust some
other words: credit, accredit, credence, credentials,
arch – words: Anarchies credo, credulity, credulous, creed
meaning: govern, rule
some other words: monarchy, autarchy, cryptarchy, cracy / crat – words: Democracies, Timocracies,
chiliarch, demarch, diarchy, hierarchy, patriarchy, Plutocracies
matriarchy, oligarchy meaning: to govern, to rule; government, strength,
power, might, authority
auto – words: Autonomy some other words: aristiocracy, autocracy, bureaucracy,
meaning: self, same, spontaneous, directed from within gerontocracy, gynocracy, kakistocracy, kleptocracy,
some other words: autarch, autism, authentic, automatic, mediocracy, meritocracy, ochlocracy
autoactivation, autoanalysis, autocephaly, autobiography,
autocrat, autoclave cryp / crypt / crypto – words: Apocryphal
meaning: hidden, secret
bell / belli – words: Belligerent, Bellicose some other words: crypt, cryptic, cryptography, encrypt,
meaning: war, fight, fighting decrypt
some other words: rebellion, antebellum, bellicism
bene / bon – words: Benefactor, Beneficial, Benediction culpa – words: Inculpate, Culprit
meaning: good, well meaning: blame; responsible for wrong or error
some other words: benevolent, benedictory, benign, bon some other words: culpable, culpability, exculpate, mea
vivant, bon voyage culpa
cad / cas / cid – words: Cadaverous, Decadence, Cadence dem / demo – words: pandemic, epidemic
meaning: to fall, befall meaning: people, population
some other words: cad, accident, incident, coincidental, some other words: demagogue, democracy, democrat,
caducity, cascade, recidivist demography, demophilia, demotic, endemic,
carn – words: Incarnations deca – words: decade

meaning: flesh, meat meaning: ten
some other words: carnivorous, carnal, incarnate, some other words: decahedron, decathlon, decametre,
carnival, carnage decagonal
cede / cess – words: Ceded, Conceded derm – words: pachydermic

meaning: to be in motion; to go, to go away, to yield, to meaning: skin
give up, to withdraw some other words: dermis, epidermis, dermatology,
some other words: antecedents, abcess, accede, cease, taxidermy
cessation, deceased, exceed, excess, intercede,
precede, proceed, recede, secede, supercede, dign / dain – words: disdain
unprecedented meaning: worthy; to deem worthy or fit
some other words: condign, dainty, deign, dignity, dignify
dol / dolor – words: dolorous, doleful some other words: agnosia, agnostic, ignorance, diagnose,
meaning: to feel pain, to grieve; sorrow, grief, mourning prognosis, gnostic, ignominy, ignore, prognosticate
some other words: condole, dole, dolorific, indolent
gress – words: retrogressive
du / duo – words: doubt meaning: walk, step, take steps, move around
meaning: two some other words: aggression, congress, digress,
some other words: deuce, double, duet, dubious, duo, egress, ingress, progress, regress, transgress
duel, duellist, duplex, duplicate, indubitable
honor / hono – words: dishonour
duce / duct – words: inducements meaning: honour, honesty
meaning: to lead, leading; bringing; to take; to draw some other words: honesty, honour, honourable,
along or out honorary, honorarium, honorific
some other words: adduce, deduce, conducive, induce,
transduce, introduce, produce, duct, ductile hubris – words: hubris
meaning: wanton violence, riotousness, insolence;
eco – words: economist outrage; arrogance
meaning: house, household affairs [environment, some other words: hubristic, hubristically
habitat], home, dwelling
some other words: ecology, ecocentric, economic, hyper – words: hyperbole
econometric, synecology meaning: above, over; excessive; more than normal;
abnormal excess
edif – words: edifying some other words: hyperacidity, hypersensitivity,
meaning: to build, to erect a building; a building, a hypermetropia, hyperactive, hyperacuity, hypermnesia,
sanctuary, a temple hypersonic
some other words: edification, edifice
identi / ident – words: identifiable
epi – words: epidemic meaning: the same, sameness
meaning: above, over, on, upon; besides; in addition to; some other words: identic, identical, identify, identification
toward; among
some other words: epicentre, epidermis, epicranial, epifocal, in / ig / il / ir / im – words: inimical, intemperate,
epigean, epigram, epigraph, epileptic, epilogue, epiphany indefinite, invalidate, innocuous, inoffensive
meaning: no, not
equi – words: equivocation some other words: ignoble, ignominous, illegal, illicit,
meaning: same, similar, even, fair, uniform, identical irreparable, irresolute, imbalance, immature, improbable
some other words: equate, adequate, coequal, equilibrium,
equal, equable, equalise, equator, equilateral, equiangular, in / im / il / ir – words: impeccable, inured, impecunious,
equanimity, equity, equitable, equivalent, equivocal impoverished, infuriating, immutable
meaning: in, into, within, inside, on, toward
eu – words: euphoria, euphemism some other words: inflammable, inaugurate, ingress,
meaning: good, well, normal; happy, pleasing immigrant, imbibe, illuminate, irradiate
some other words: eubiotics, eugenics, eudaemonia,
eulogy, euthanasia, euphonic jug / junct – words: conjugal
meaning: link, unite, yoke; bring together, meet, merge,
fac / fact / fect – words: factitious, factitiousness engage in; combine
meaning: to make, to do, to build, to cause, to produce; some other words: adjunct, adjust, conjunct, conjugate,
forming, shaping conjunction, jugular, injunction, subjugate
some other words: fact, manufacture, factor, factory,
faction, benefactor, malefactor, affect, effect, log / logue / logy – words: prologue
confection, facile, facilitate, facility meaning: talk, speak; speech; word
some other words: catalogue, monologue, dialogue,
farc / fars – words: farcical epilogue, dyslogia, lethological, logagnosia, logagraphia,
meaning: to plug up or to cram, to stuff; (by extension) - logamnesia, logo, logocide, logogram, logomachy,
practical joke, sham; fiasco logophile, logophobia, misologia, neologism
some other words: infarction, farce
lud / ludi / lus – words: delusory
fus / fun / fund / fut / found – words: refuse meaning: play, make sport of, jest; sportive; pastime
meaning: pour, melt, blend some other words: allude, allusion, delude, delusion, elude,
some other words: fuse, affuse, infuse, transfuse, collude, collusion, interlude, ludicrous, prelude, postlude
defuse, effusive, fusion, perfuse, confuse, profuse,
profusion, refusal, suffuse magni / magn – words: magnanimity
meaning: large, big, great
gen – words: engender, genteelism, degenerative some other words: mananimous, magnificient, magnate,
meaning: birth, beget; descent, origin, creation, magnifico, maginfy, magniloquent, magnitude, magnum
inception, beginning, race, sort, kind, class opus
some other words: gene, generic, generate, generation,
congenital mal / male / mali – words: malaise
meaning: bad, badly, harsh, wrong; ill; evil; abnormal,
gno – words: cognoscente defective
meaning: know, learn, discern some other words: malafide, maladjusted, malcontent,
maladroit, malady, malapropism, maledict, malefactor,
malevolence, maleficence, malfeasance, malformed, some other words: science, scientific, conscientious,
malfunction, malice, malign conscious, nescient, omniscient, prescient
manu / man / mani / mandat – words: manners scrib / script – words: proscription
meaning: hand or hands meaning: write, record
some other words: mannerly, mannerism, manumit, some other words: scribe, script, ascribe, circumscribe,
manuscript, manufacture, mandate, manipulate, command, circumscription, conscribe, conscript, describe,
demand, remand, emancipate, legerdemain, maintain, description, inscribe, proscribe, prescribe, manuscript,
manacle, manage, manoeuvre, manicure, manifest, manual postscript, scribble, scripture, scrivener, subscribe,
subscription, superscription
mater / matri / matr – words: matrimony, matriarch
meaning: mother, motherhood secu / secut / suit / sue – words: suitable
some other words: maternal, maternity, matricide, meaning: follow, followed, following
matrilineage, matron, matrimonial, matronym some other words: consecutive, consequent, ensue,
obsequies, persecute, prosecute, pursue, sequel,
melano / melan – words: melancholy sequence, suit, pursuit, suitor, unsuitable
meaning: the color black; dark
some other words: melanin, melanoma, melanopathy sens / senso / senti – words: consensus
meaning: feeling, sensation, perception through the
miser – words: miseries
meaning: wretched, miserable, pitiable senses, to be aware, to discern by the senses
some other words: miser, miserable, commiserate, some other words: sense, sensory, sensitive, sensible,
misericord consent, dissent, dissentious, insensate, insensitive,
nonsense, multisensory, photosensitive, presentiment,
mod – words: modesty resent, resentful, sensation, senseless
meaning: measure; suitable; size, limit, way, method;
rhythm, harmony simal / simil / simul / semble – words: verisimilitude
some other words: commodious, accommodate, meaning: same, like, alike; same time; to appear, to
modulate, moderate, modest, mode, modal, modality, seem; together
model, modern, modify, module some other words: similar, simulate, simulacrum,
simultaneous, assemble, ensemble, resemble,
moll – words: emollient assimilate, dissemble, simile, facsimile
meaning: soft
some other words: mollify, mollusk, mollycoddle soli / sol – words: sole
meaning: one, alone, only
mono / mon – words: monarch some other words: solo, soloist, solitary, solitude, solitaire,
meaning: one, alone, single solicism, soliloquy, desolate, desolation, isolate, isolation
some other words: monogamy, monk, monastry,
monotheism, monatheism, monaural, monism, sol / solu / solv – words: dissolute
monochrome, monocular, monodrama, monoglot, meaning: loosen, to loose; to dissolve; to untie, to set free
monogram, monolatry, monolith, monomachy some other words: solve, solution, absolve, absolution,
absolute, aerosol, dissolve, soluble, solvable, insolvent,
mor / mora – words: moral resolve, resolute
meaning: custom, habit, manner
some other words: mores, amoral, immoral, demoralise, soph / sopho / sophic – words: sophistication
morale meaning: wise, wisdom; knowledge
some other words: pansophism, philosophy, sophist,
morbi – words: morbid
meaning: disease sophistry, sophisticated, sophomore, theosophy
some other words: morbidity, premorbid
tacit / taci / tace – words: taciturnity
mort / mor / mori / morti – words: moribund meaning: silent, silence; unspoken; quiet
meaning: death, dead; die, dying some other words: reticent, tacit, tacitly
some other words: motal, mortality, amortise, term / termin – words: terminate
benemortasia, mortgage, mortician, mortuary, mortification meaning: end, last, final, boundary
mot / moto / motile / motive / mov – words: motile some other words: term, determine, determination,
meaning: move, motion exterminate, indeterminate, interminable
some other words: motor, motion, demote, promote,
testi / test – words: testifying
locomotive, emote, emotion, motility, motivate
meaning: a witness, one who stands by
some other words: attest, attestation, contest,
mut – words; mutable, immutable
contestant, detest, detestable, intestate, protest,
meaning: change, changeable
protestant, testament, testify, testimony, testimonial
some other words: mutate, mutation, permutation,
transmute, commute, immutable
torp – words: torpid
sci / scien / scient – words: conscience meaning: stupor, numb, sluggish
meaning: to know, to learn; knowledge some other words: torpor, torpescent, torpidity
tors / tort / torqu – words: extort, distort meaning: to be strong, to be well, to be worth; strong;
meaning: bend, curve, turn, twist (by extension) wrong power, strength; and "fare well" [go with strength]
some other words: retort, contort, torment, torsion, some other words: avail, available, valency, equivalent,
torque, tortuous, torture value, valuation, valuable, evaluate, devalue,
trac / tract – words: extract convalescent, valid, invalid, prevalent, prevail,
meaning: drag, draw together; a drawing out or pulling valediction, valour, valiant
some other words: abstact, attract, contract, detract,
veri / ver / vera – words: veracity
distract, tractable, intractable, protract, retract, subtract,
tractile, tractor meaning: true, truth, real, truthfulness
some other words: aver, averment, verity, veritable,
trans – words: transmission, transmutation, transformance verdict, verify, verification, verily, verisimilitude,
meaning: across, through, over, beyond, on the far side of
some other words: transit, transport, transmit, transfer, vict / vinc / vince – words: conviction
transplant, transfuse, transform, transvestite, transverse, meaning: conquer, overcome
transgress, transcend, transient, transition some other words: victory, convince, evict, evince, invincible
trepid – words: trepidation vicis / vicar – words: vicissitude

meaning: agitated, alarmed, restless, anxious, meaning: substitute; change, alternation
solicitous; fear, fearful, fright; terror; consternation some other words: vicarious
some other words: intrepid, trepidant, trepidity
viti / vitu / vic – words: vituperative
ultim – words: ultimatum meaning: a fault, a defect, a blemish; a corruption, a crime
meaning: end, last, final some other words: vice, vicious, convict, vitiate, vituperate
some other words: ultimate, penultimate, ultimately,
viva / vivi / vivo / viv – words: convivial, vivifying
ultimacy.
meaning: life, alive
vacu – words: vacuity some other words: vivacious, in vivo, joie de vivre,
meaning: empty viable, viviparous, revive, vivisection, survive, vivid
some other words: vacant, vacuum, vaction, evacuate, voc / vok / vox / vow – words: vociferousness
vacancy, vacuous
meaning: call, talk, speak, say, voice; word
valid / val / vail / valent – words: ambivalence some other words: voice, vociferous, vow, disavow, vocal,
advocate, vouch, invoke, evoke, vocation, equivocal,
revoke, irrevocable, provoke, provocation, vox populi
PREFIXES
A be [on, way] bedeak, belabour, bequest, bestow,
a, an [not, without] amoral (without a sense of moral beloved
responsibility), atheism, anaemia, atypical, atom (not
cutable), apathy (without feeling) bene, bon [well] benefit, benefactor, benevolent,
benediction, bonus, bonafide, bonanza
ab, abs, a [from, away] abnormal, avert (turn away)
bi, bis, bin [both, double, twice] bicycle, biweekly,
acro [high] acropolis (high city), acrobat, acrogen (of the Binoculars, bilateral, biscuit
highest class), acronym, acrophobia (fear of height)
by [side, close, near] bypass, bystander, by-product,
ad (ac af, ag, al, an, ap, ar, as, at) [to, towards] admire bylaw, byline
(look at with wonder), attract, admit, advance, allege,
announce, assert, aggressive, accept C
cata [down, against] catalogue, catapult, catastrophe,
ambi, amb [both, around] ambidextrous (skilled with cataclysm
both hands), ambiguous, amble
circum, circ [around] circumference, circumnavigate,
amphi [both] amphibious (living on both land and water), circumspect
amphitheatre
co (con, col, cor, com) [together, with] compose. copilot,
ana [on, up, backward] analysis (loosing up or taking conspire, collect, concord
apart for study), anatomy, anachronism
coni [dust] coniosis (disease which comes from inhaling
ante [before] antedate, anteroom, antebellum, antecedent dust)
anti, ant [against] anticommunist, antidote, anticlimax, contra, counter [against] controversy, contradict,
antacid, Antarctic counterpart
apo [from, off] apostasy (standing from, abandoning a D

professed belief), apology, apothecary, apostle de [from, down] demote, depress, degrade, deject, deprive
B
di [two, twice] dilemma, diatom, dissect, diploma literally; hence, chemical and physical change),
metaphor, metamorphosis, metaphysical
dia [through, between] diameter, diagonal, diagram,
diagnosis, dialogue mis [incorrect, bad] misuse, misprint
dis, dif [apart, away, reverse] dismiss, distort, miso [hating, wrong] misanthropist, misogamist, miser
distinguish, diffuse
dys [badly, ill] dyspepsia (digesting badly, indigestion), mono [one] monoplane, monotone, monogamy,
dystrophy monochrome, monocle
E multi [many] multiply, multiform, multilateral

em, en [in, into] embrace enslave
N
epi [upon] epidermis (upon the skin, outer layer of the neo [new] neopaganism, neoclassic, neologism,
skin), epitaph, epithet, epigram, epitome neophyte
eu, ev [well] eulogize (speak well of, praise) eupepsia, non [not] nontaxable (not taxed), nontoxic, nonexistent,
euphony, eugenics nonsense
ex, e, ec, ef [out] expel (drive out), ex-mayor, exit, O

exorcism, eccentric (out of the centre position), eject, ob (of, op, oc) [towards, against] obstruct, offend,
emit oppose, occur
extra, extro [beyond, outside] extraordinary (beyond the P
ordinary), extracurricular, extrovert, extraneous para [beside, almost] parasite (one who eats beside or
at table of another), paraphrase, parody, parachute,
F paramedic, parallel
for [away or off] forswear (to renounce an oath)
penta [five] pentagon (figure or building having five
fore (before in time) foretell (to tell beforehand), forecast, angles or sides), pentateuch, pentameter, pentathlon
foreshadow, foregone, forefather
per [throughout, completely] pervert (completely turn
H wrong, corrupt), perfect, perceive permanent, persuade,
hemi, demi, semi [half] hemisphere, hemicycle, pervade
semicircle, demitasse
peri [around] perimeter (measurement around an area),
homo [man] Homo sapiens, homicide, homunculus, periphery, periscope, pericardium, period
hominid
poly [many] polygon (figure having many angles or
hyper [over, above] hypercritical, hyperemia, sides), polygamy, polyglot, polychrome
hypersensitive, hypertensive, hyperactive
post [after] postpone, postwar, postscript, post-season
hypo [under] hypodermic, hypothesis, hypotension
pre [before] prewar, preview, precede, prevent,
Ι premonition
idio [private, personal] idiom, idiosyncrasy, idiomatic
pro [forward, in favor of] project (throw forward),
il (ir, in, im) [not] incorrect, illegal, immoral, irregular progress, pro-abortion, promote, prohibition
in (il, im) [into] inject, inside, illuminate, impose, illustrate, pseudo [false] pseudonym (false or assumed name),
implant, imprison pseudo, pseudopodia
infra [beneath] infrared R
re [back, again] reclaim, revive, revoke, rejuvenate,
inter [between] intercollegiate, interfere, intervene, retard, reject, return
interrupt (break between)
retro [backwards] retrorspective (looking backwards),
intra [within] intramural, intravenous (within the veins) retroactive, retrorocket, retrofression
intro [into, inward] introduce, introvert (turn inward) S

se [aside] seduce (lead aside), secede, secrete, segregate
M
macro [large, excessive] macrodent (having large teeth), self [by oneself] self-determination, self-employed, self-
macrocosm service, selfish
mal [badly, poor] maladjusted, malnutrition, malfunction, sesqui [one and a half] sesquicentennial (one and one-
malady half centuries)
meta [beyond, after, with] metabolism (thrown beyond, sub [under] submerge (put under), submarine,
subhuman, subject, substitute, subsoil, suburb
suf (sug, sup, sus) [from under] suffer, suggest, tri [three] tricycle, triangle, tripod, tristate
support, suspect, sufficient, suspend
U
super, supr, sur [above, over, more] supervise, un [not, release] unfair, unnatural, unbutton, unfasten
superman, survivor, supreme, supernatural, superior
under [beneath] underground, underling
syn (sym, sys, syl) [with, together] sympathy, system,
synthesis, symphony, syllable, synchronize (time uni [one, below] unicycle, uniform, unify, universe, unique
together), synonym
ultra [beyond, exceedingly] ultramodern, ultraviolet,
T ultraconservative
trans, tra [across, beyond] transoceanic, transmit, V
traverse (lying across as a bridge over a stream), vice [in place of ] vice-president, vice-admiral, viceroy
transfusion
SUFFIXES
able, ible [able, can do] capable, agreeable, edible, ence, ency [action, state of, quality] difference,
visible (can be seen) conference, proficiency (quality of being proficient),
urgency
ad, ade [result of action] monad (a unit, an individual),
blockade (the result of a blocking action), lemonade er (see ar)
age [act of, state of, collection of ] salvage (act of ery (see ary)
saving), storage, forage
esce [to become] acquiesce (become restful, peaceful),
al [relating to] sensual, gradual, manual, natural (relating coalesce
to nature)
escent [in the process of] convalescent, obsolescent
algia [pain] neuralgia (nerve pain) esis (see asis)
an, ian [native of, relating to] (Czechoslovakian, African) ese [ a native of, the language] Japanese, Vietname
ance, ancy [action, process, state] assistance, esque [in the style of ] burlesque, arabesque
allowance, defiance, resistance
ess [female] actress goddess, lioness
ant [performing, agent] assistant, servant, defiant et, ette [a small one, group] midget, octet, baronet,
bassinet
ar, er, or [one who, that which] doctor, baker, miller,
teacher, racer, amplifier fic [making, causing] scientific, specific
ard, art [one who] drunkard, dullard, braggart ful [full of] frightful, careful, helpful (full of help)
ary, ery, ory [relating to, quality, place where] dictionary, fy [make] fortify (make strong), simplify, terrify,amplify
dietary, bravery, dormitory (a place where people sleep) hood [order, condition, quality] manhood, womanhood,
brotherhood
asis, esis, osis [action, process, condition] genesis,
hypnosis, neurosis ible (see able)
ate [cause, make] enumerate, liquidate, segregate ic [nature of, like] acidic, metallic (of the nature of metal),
(causing a group to be set aside) heroic, poetic
cian [having a certain skill or art] logician, musician, ice [condition, state, quality] justice, malice
beautician, magician, physician
id, ide (a thing connected with or belonging to) fluid,
cide [kill] homicide, pesticide, genocide (killing a race of fluoride
people)
ile [relating to, suited for, capable of] domicile, agile,
cule, ling [very small] molecule, ridicule, duckling (very juvenile, senile (related to being old), missile
small duck), sapling
ine [nature of] feminine, masculine, geniuine, medicine
cy [action, function] hesitancy prophecy, normalcy
ion, sion, tion [act of, state of, result of] action, injection,
dom [quality, realm, office] boredom, freedom, kingdom, infection, suspension (state of suspending)
stardom, wisdom (quality of being wise)
ish [origin, nature, resembling] foolish, Irish, clownish
ee [one who receives the action] employee, devotee, (resembling a clown)
nominee (one who is nominated), refugee, trustee
ism [doctrine, system, manner, condition, characteristic]
en [made of, make] silken, frozen, oaken (made of oak), alcoholism, exorcism, heroism (characteristic of a hero),
wooden, lighten Communism, realism
ist [one who, that which] artist, dentist, violinist, racist ology [study, science, theory] biology, anthropology,
geology, neurology
ite [nature of, quality of, mineral product] expedite,
Israelite, graphite, sulfite, dynamite (quality of being or (see ar)
powerful)
ory (see ary)
ity, ty [state of, quality] captivity, chastity, fraternity,
clarity osis (see asis)
ive [causing, making] assertive, abusive (causing ous [full of, having] gracious, nervous, vivacious (full of,
abuse), affirmative, exhaustive having) gracious, nervous, vivacious (full of life), spacious
ize [make] emphasize, liberalize [make liberal), idolize, rhea [flowing, discharge] pyorrhoea, diarrhea, gonorrhea
penalize, publicize [discharge from the reproductive organs]
less [without] baseless, careless [without care), artless, ship [office, state, quality, skill, profession] friendship,
fearless, helpless authorship, scholarship, dictatorship
ly [like, manner of ] carelessly, fearlessly, hopelessly, some [like, apt, tending to] lonesome, threesome,
shamelessly gruesome
ment [act of, state of, result] contentment, alignment, tude [state of, condition of] gratitude, multitude
amendment (state of amending), achievement (condition of being many), aptitude, solitude
mony [a resulting thing] patrimony, alimony, acrimony ure [state of, act, process, rank] culture, literature,
ness [state of] carelessness, restlessness, lifelessess pressure, rupture (state of being broken)
old [like, resembling] asteroid, spheroid, tabloid, ward [in the direction of] eastward, forward, backward
anthropoid y [inclined to, tend to] cheery, crafty, faulty, dirty, itchy
WORD GROUPS
abrogate – revoke, end, recall, withdraw, reverse, autonomous – free, independent, sovereign, self-
cancel, abolish, repeal, renounce, take back, call back, sufficient, self-governing
retract, repudiate, negate, rescind, invalidate, annul,
nullify, recant, obviate, disclaim, countermand barricade – barrier, wall, railing, fence, blockade,
obstruction, rampart, fortification, bulwark, palisade,
abstract – theoretical, complex, intellectual, subtle, stockade
profound, speculative, unrealistic, conceptual, indefinite, bent (N) – inclination, ability, taste, leaning, tendency,
occult, hypothetical, generalized, impractical, arcane, preference, faculty, forte, flair, penchant, propensity,
notional, abstruse, recondite, conjectural, unpractical aptitude, predisposition, predilection, proclivity, liking
acquiesce – submit, agree, accept, approve, yield, berate – rebuke, reproof, scold, lambast, reprimand,
bend, surrender, consent, tolerate, comply, give in, remonstrate, castigate, chastise, objurgate
conform, succumb, concur, assent, capitulate, accede
bland(-ness) – dull, boring, plain, commonplace,
adjunct – addition, supplement, accessory, complement, tedious, dreary, tiresome, monotonous, uninspiring,
auxiliary, add-on, appendage, addendum, appurtenance humdrum, unimaginative, uninteresting, insipid,
unexciting, vapid
adumbrate – intimate, insinuate, hint, suggest, inkling (N)
bottomless – deep, profound, boundless, unfathomable,
immeasurable, fathomless, endless, inexhaustible
affluent – wealthy, rich, prosperous, opulent
Also abysmal (dreadful, bad, terrible, awful, appalling,
dismal, dire, ghastly, hideous, atrocious)
allegiance – loyalty, duty, obligation, devotion, fidelity,
obedience, adherence, constancy, faithfulness burgeon(-ing) – develop, increase, grow, flower,
progress, mature, thrive, flourish, bloom, bud, blossom,
argot – jargon, slang, dialect, idiom, vernacular, patter, prosper
parlance, cant, lingo, patois
buttress – support, sustain, strengthen, shore, prop,
artificial – synthetic, manufactured, plastic, insincere, reinforce, back up, brace, uphold, bolster, augment
forced, affected, assumed, false, pretended, hollow, catholic – wide, liberal, global, varied, comprehensive,
contrived, unnatural, feigned, spurious, meretricious, universal, tolerant, eclectic, ecumenical, broad-minded,
specious, fabricated, counterfeit unbigoted, unsectarian
assiduous – diligent, constant, steady, hard-working, clairvoyant(-ce) – visionary, prophetic, prescient, telepathic,
persistent, attentive, persevering, laborious, industrious, extrasensory, oracular, presaging, prognostic, augural
indefatigable, studious, untiring, sedulous
clergy – priesthood, ministry, clerics, clergymen, diffuse – spread, distribute, scatter, circulate, disperse,
churchmen, holy orders, ecclesiastics dispense, dispel, dissipate, propagate, disseminate,
meander
cohort – supporter, partner, associate, mate, assistant,
follower, comrade, protagonist, accomplice, henchman digress – drift, stray, depart, ramble, meander, diverge,
deviate, expatiate
commotion – disturbance, to-do, riot, disorder,
disconcert – disturb, worry, trouble, upset, confuse,
excitement, fuss, turmoil, racket, upheaval, bustle,
baffle, unsettle, bewilder, agitate, ruffle, perplex, fluster,
furore, uproar, ferment, agitation, ado, tumult
perturb, faze, nonplus
conceal – hide, bury, secrete, cover, screen, disguise,
disconsolate – inconsolable, despairing, sad, miserable,
obscure, camouflage, mask, veil, dissemble
gloomy, hopeless, dismal, melancholy, desolate, forlorn,
conditional – dependent, limited, qualified, subject to,
woeful, dejected, grief-stricken, wretched
contingent, provisional, with reservations
dissemble – hide, act, pretend, bluff, be dishonest,
conjecture – guess, theory, fancy, speculation, dissimulate, conceal, mask
assumption, hypothesis, inference, presumption,
don – (N) – lecturer, professor, fellow, academic, scholar
surmise, theorizing, guesswork, supposition
(V) – put on, get into, dress in, pull on, change into, get
conscientious – careful, exact, faithful, meticulous, dressed in
painstaking, diligent, punctilious, moral, strict,
drab – dull, grey, gloomy, dismal, dreary, sombre,
straightforward, upright, honest, scrupulous, high-
lacklustre, flat, uninspired, vapid
minded, incorruptible, ethical
draconian – severe, harsh, stern, drastic, stringent,
corroborate(-ion) – support, establish, confirm,
punitive, austere, pitiless, cruel, relentless, oppressive,
document, sustain, back up, endorse, ratify, validate,
austere, unrelenting, inexorable
bear out, substantiate, authenticate
dreadful – terrible, distressing, appalling, tragic, horrible,
courtly – ceremonious, civil, formal, obliging, refined, formidable, fearful, dire, horrendous, hideous,
polite, dignified, stately, aristocratic, gallant, affable, monstrous, atrocious, frightful
urbane, decorous, chivalrous, highbred
drivel – babble, ramble, maunder, prate, prattle, gibber,
craven – cowardly, weak, scared, fearful, abject, chatter, blabber, twaddle
dastardly, lily-livered, timorous, pusillanimous
dulcet – sweet, pleasing, melodious, mellifluous,
dawdle – waste time, potter, trail, lag, idle, hang about, euphonious,
loiter, linger, procrastinate
dupe – deceive, trick, cheat, con, hoax, defraud, beguile,
decimate – destroy, devastate, annihilate, eradicate, delude, swindle, outwit, bamboozle, hoodwink
wipe out, eliminate, carry off, extinguish, ravage
effusive – demonstrative, enthusiastic, extravagant,
decorate – adorn, deck, trim, embroider, garnish, overflowing, gushing, exuberant, ebullient, unrestrained,
ornament, embellish, festoon, bedeck, beautify, grace, talkative, fulsome, profuse
ornament, (Adj. – florid, ruddy, ornate)
elite – aristocracy, cream, upper/privileged class,
deference – respect, regard, consideration, attention, nobility, gentry, high society, crème de la crème
honour, esteem, courtesy, reverence, politeness, civility, (French), nonpareil
veneration
elixir – panacea, cure-all, nostrum, syrup, potion, distillate
denounce(-iating) – condemn, attack, censure, decry,
castigate, revile, vilify, proscribe, stigmatize, impugn, emancipate(-ion) – free, release, liberate, set free,
excoriate enfranchise, unshackle, disencumber, unfetter, unbridle,
disenthral, manumit
depose – (a) oust, dismiss, displace, degrade,
downgrade, cashier(v), demote, dethrone. embargo – ban, barrier, restriction, boycott, prohibition,
(b) swear, declare, to give testimony(=deposition) moratorium, stoppage, impediment, blockage, hindrance,
interdiction, proscription, ostracize
deride – mock, ridicule, scorn, insult, taunt, sneer, jeer,
embezzle – misappropriate, steal, appropriate, rob,
disdain, scoff, detract, flout, disparage, chaff, gibe
siphon off, pilfer, purloin, filch
derisive – mocking, ridiculing, jeering, taunting, scoffing, embroil – complicate, mix up, implicate, entangle, mire,
contemptuous, scornful ensnare, encumber
diaphanous – fine, light, thin, sheer, delicate, encumbrance – burden, difficulty, obstacle,
transparent, translucent, gossamer, gauzy, filmy, pellucid embarrassment, obstruction, hindrance, restraint,
inconvenience, impediment
diatribe – tirade, abuse, criticism, denunciation, reviling,
stricture, harangue, invective, vituperation
endemic – widespread, common, sweeping, extensive,
prevalent, rife, pervasive

engender – produce, create, breed, generate, provoke, fluster – upset, bother, disturb, ruffle, excite, confuse,
induce, give rise to, precipitate, incite, instigate, foment, hurry, rattle, bustle, hassle, flurry, agitate, confound,
beget, spawn, sire, propagate unnerve, perturb
engross – engulf, steep, immerse, soak up, absorb, gaffe – blunder, mistake, error, indiscretion, lapse, faux
plunge, involve, engage, occupy pas, solecism, gaucherie
ennui – boredom, dissatisfaction, tiredness, doldrums,
lethargy, tedium, lassitude, listlessness, indifferent, gingerly – cautiously, carefully, reluctantly, suspiciously,
insouciant, unconcerned, jaunty tentatively, warily, hesitantly, timidly, circumspectly, charily
epidemic – outbreak, plague, growth, spread, scourge, glean – gather, learn, collect, harvest, accumulate, reap,
contagion garner, amass
exacerbate – intensify, worsen, infuriate, aggravate, gloat – relish, triumph, glory, revel in, vaunt, exult, brag,
exasperate, vex, embitter tout, preen
exorbitant – excessive, high, expensive, extreme,
grate – annoy, irritate, gall, exasperate, nettle, jar, vex,
ridiculous, outrageous, extravagant, unreasonable,
chafe, irk
undue, preposterous, inordinate, extortionate,
unconscionable, immoderate
gratitude(-inous) – thankfulness, recognition,
extempore – impromptu, off-the-cuff, offhand, unrehearsed appreciation, indebtedness, gratefulness
extradite – deport, exile, hand over, expel, banish, send gregarious – outgoing, friendly, cordial, sociable,
back, expatriate affable, convivial, companionable
extricate – withdraw, relieve, free, clear, deliver,
gusto – relish, enthusiasm, appetite, appreciation, liking,
liberate, disencumber, disentangle, untangle, disengage
delight, pleasure, enjoyment, savour, zeal, verve, zest,
facetious – flippant, funny, playful, frivolous, droll, fervour, exhilaration
jocular, unserious, jocose
haven – sanctuary, shelter, retreat, asylum, refuge,
fallacious – incorrect, wrong, mistaken, false, oasis, sanctum
misleading, untrue, deceptive, spurious, fictitious,
illogical, erroneous, illusory, delusive, delusory, sophistic hedonist – pleasure-seeker, epicurean, bon vivant
(French), epicure, sensualist, voluptuary, sybarite
famish(-ed) – hungry, starving, voracious, ravenous
fashionable – popular, trendy, current, modern, smart, husband – conserve, budget, use sparingly, save, store,
prevailing, stylish, genteel, in vogue, modish hoard, economize, frugal(Adj.), provident(Adj.)
fastidious – particular, meticulous, fussy, overdelicate, hydrate – moisten, wet, water, soak, sodden, dampen,
difficult, nice, critical, discriminating, dainty, squeamish, moisturize, bedew
choosy, hard to please, finicky, punctilious
hyperbole – exaggeration, overstatement, enlargement,
fervent – ardent, earnest, enthusiastic, fervid, passionate, magnification, amplification
warm, excited, emotional, intense, flaming, eager,
animated, fiery, ecstatic, devout, impassioned, zealous hypothetical – theoretical, academic, assumed,
imaginary, speculative, putative, conjectural, theatrical,
fetter – chain, tie up, shackle, hobble, hold captive, histrionic, melodramatic
manacle, captivity(N), bondage(N)
immaculate – pure, perfect, spotless, flawless,
filibuster – obstruction, delay, postponement, impeccable, stainless, faultless, unblemished, unsullied,
hindrance, procrastination uncontaminated, unpolluted, untarnished,
unexceptionable, undefiled
finicky – fussy, difficult, particular, hard to please,
critical, scrupulous, fastidious, dainty, squeamish, immanent – inherent, innate, intrinsic, natural, internal,
choosy, overparticular indigenous, subjective, inborn
flaunt – show off, display, boast, parade, exhibit, imminent – threatening, forthcoming, looming,
brandish, vaunt menacing, brewing, impending, upcoming,
flay – upbraid, castigate, revile, excoriate, execrate, impetuous(-ity) – rash, hasty, impulsive, violent, furious,
criticise, lash, assail, fleece spontaneous, precipitate, ardent, impassioned,
flimsy – fragile, weak, slight, delicate, shallow, shaky, unplanned, unbridled, vehement, unrestrained,
frail, superficial, makeshift, insubstantial unthinking, unpremeditated
flinch – wince, start, duck, shrink, cringe, quail, recoil, imprison(-ment) – gaol, immure, incarcerate, jail, put
cower, swerve, shirk behind bars, remand, intern, impound, confine,
jurisprudence

indemnify – compensate, pay, reimburse, repair, repay, lumber(-ing) – plod, shuffle, shamble, trudge, stump,
requite, recompense, reparation, restitution clump, waddle
indict – charge, accuse, prosecute, summon, impeach, lunacy – foolishness, madness, folly, stupidity,
arraign, sentence, blame, condemn, convict, damn, absurdity, aberration, imbecility, foolhardiness, insanity,
inculpate madness, mania, dementia
indigent(-ce) – destitute, poor, impoverished, needy, magnanimous – generous, kind, noble, selfless,
penniless, penurious, necessitous, impecunious charitable, bountiful, unselfish, unstinting, beneficent,
munificent
infamous(infamy) – notorious, base, disgraceful,
shameful, vile, scandalous, wicked, atrocious, heinous, maladroit – clumsy, awkward, bungling, inept, inexpert,
odious, ignominious, disreputable, egregious, unskilful
abominable, villainous, dishonourable, nefarious, mannered – affected, posed, artificial, pretentious,
iniquitous, detestable, opprobrious stilted, counterfeit, feigned, spurious, conceited,
infirm – frail, weak, feeble, failing, ailing, debilitated, insincere
decrepit, enfeebled, doddery
maudlin – sentimental, tearful, weepy, mawkish,
inimical – hostile, opposed, contrary, destructive, lachrymose
harmful, adverse, hurtful, unfriendly, unfavourable,
maverick – rebel, radical, dissenter, individualist,
antagonistic, injurious
protester, eccentric, heretic, nonconformist, iconoclast
inquest – inquiry, investigation, probe, inquisition
meddlesome – interfering, meddling, intrusive,
insularity – narrow-minded, prejudiced, provincial, mischievous, prying, officious
limited, narrow, petty, parochial, blinkered,
mercurial – capricious, volatile, unpredictable, erratic,
circumscribed, illiberal, sectarian
variable, unstable, fickle, temperamental, impulsive,
interim – temporary, provisional, makeshift, acting, irrepressible, changeable, whimsical
passing, intervening, caretaker, improvised, transient,
stopgap mimic – imitate, ape, parody, caricature, impersonate
intermittent – broken, occasional, recurring, irregular, moderate – soften, control, calm, temper, regulate,
sporadic, recurrent, fitful, spasmodic, discontinuous quiet, diminish, curb, restrain, subdue, play down,
lessen, repress, mitigate, tone down, pacify, modulate
intimidate – frighten, pressurize, threaten, scare, terrify,
cow, menace, hound, daunt, harass, subdue, oppress, momentous – significant, important, serious, vital,
persecute, tyrannize, domineer critical, crucial, grave, historic, decisive, pivotal, fateful,
weighty, consequential
investiture – installation, ordination, inauguration,
investment, investing, admission, induction, mundane – ordinary, routine, commonplace, banal,
enthronement everyday, prosaic, humdrum
jaundiced – cynical, bitter, hostile, prejudiced, biased, narcissistic – self-loving, conceited, self-centred,
suspicious, partial, jealous, distorted, sceptical, resentful, egocentric, self-obsessed, egoistic, proud, vain
envious, bigoted, spiteful, preconceived
nemesis – bane, scourge, curse, affliction, retribution,
jocund – jolly, jovial, merry, mirthful, jocose, animated, destruction, vengeance
glad, hilarious, buoyant, airy, jubilant, cheery, cordial,
convivial, blithe obliterate – destroy, eliminate, devastate, wreck, wipe
out, demolish, ravage, eradicate, desolate, annihilate,
juggle – manipulate, change, doctor, alter, modify, raze, extirpate
disguise, manoeuvre, tamper, misrepresent, falsify
occult – supernatural, mysterious, mystical, unearthly,
kindred – kin, lineage, kinsmen, compatible, congenial, unnatural, esoteric, uncanny, arcane, paranormal,
companionable, congnate abstruse, recondite, preternatural
lampoon – ridicule, mock, mimic, parody, caricature, onerous – trying, hard, taxing, demanding, difficult,
squib, burlesque, satirize heavy, responsible, grave, exhausting, exacting,
formidable, troublesome, oppressive, laborious,
lanky – gangling, thin, tall, gaunt, bony, rangy, scraggy burdensome, irksome, exigent
legend – myth, story, tale, fiction, narrative, saga, fable, opprobrium – censure, criticism, condemnation,
folk tale, celebrity, star, phenomenon, genius, spectacle, discredit, disapproval, reproach, calumny, odium,
wonder, marvel, prodigy, luminary obloquy, contumely, scurrility, slur, ignominy, infamy
levity – frivolity, silliness, triviality, fickleness, flippancy, paltry – insignificant, trivial, worthless, unimportant,
giddiness, skittishness, facetiousness small, base, slight, petty, trifling
pan(V) – criticize, knock, blast, censure, flay, lambast

parch – wither, burn, blight, brand, scorch, sizzle, prolix – talkative, garrulous, loquacious, forthcoming,
shrivel, cauterize, desiccate, dry up articulate, fluent, chatty, wordy, effusive, voluble, verbose
partisan – (Adj.) – prejudiced, one-sided, biased, prologue – introduction, preliminary, prelude, preface,
partial, sectarian, factional, tendentious preamble, foreword, exordium
(Noun) – supporter, champion, follower, backer, disciple, promontory – point, cape, head, spur, headland, foreland
stalwart, devotee, adherent, upholder
prudish – exaggeratedly proper, prim, formal, proper,
pathetic – sad, moving, touching, affecting, distressing,
puritanical, demure, squeamish, narrow-minded,
tender, poignant, plaintive, pitiable
overmodest, overnice
pecuniary – monetary, economic, financial, capital,
commercial, fiscal, budgetary quail – shrink, cringe, flinch, shake, faint, tremble,
pensive – thoughtful, serious, sad, grave, sober, quake, shudder, falter, droop, recoil, cower, blench
musing, preoccupied, melancholy, solemn, reflective,
dreamy, wistful, contemplative, meditative, sorrowful, quaint – unusual, odd, curious, original, strange, bizarre,
ruminative, cogitative fantastic, old-fashioned, peculiar, eccentric, queer,
fanciful, whimsical, droll, picturesque, antique, gothic
permeate – pervade, saturate, charge, fill, pass through,
penetrate, infiltrate, imbue, impregnate, seep, percolate querulous – complaining, cross, discontented,
grumbling, peevish, critical, sour, carping, murmuring,
pernicious – damaging, dangerous, evil, offensive, fatal, whining, dissatisfied, irritable, touchy, petulant, plaintive,
deadly, destructive, harmful, poisonous, malicious, irascible, cantankerous, tetchy
malign, malignant, detrimental, hurtful, malevolent,
noxious, venomous, ruinous, baleful, deleterious, quiver – shake, tremble, shiver, quake, shudder, agitate,
injurious, noisome, baneful, pestilent, maleficent vibrate, pulsate, convulse, palpitate
pillage – plunder, sack, rob, rifle, loot, ravage, ransack, rail(-ed) – complain, attack, abuse, criticize, censure,
maraud scold, castigate, revile
pine – (a) waste, decline, weaken, sicken, sink, flag, raillery – banter, badinage, light-hearted teasing,
fade, decay, wither, wilt, languish, droop persiflage, repartee
(b) long, ache, crave, yearn
rapture – ecstasy, delight, enthusiasm, joy, happiness,
pious – religious, godly, devoted, spiritual, holy, bliss, euphoria, rhapsody, exaltation, delectation,
dedicated, righteous, devout, saintly, God-fearing, beatitude, ravishment
reverent, sanctimonious
pluck(N) – courage, nerve, heart, spirit, grit, bravery, ratify – approve, establish, confirm, bind, sanction,
mettle, boldness, intrepidity endorse, uphold, authorize, affirm, certify, consent to,
validate, corroborate, authenticate
plumb(V) – examime throughly, measure, explore,
probe, sound out, search, go into, penetrate, gauge, raucous – harsh, rough, loud, noisy, grating, strident,
unravel, fathom rasping, husky, discordant, clamorous, cacophonous, din
ponder – think about, consider, study, reflect on, rectitude – morality, principle, honour, virtue, decency,
examine, contemplate, deliberate about, muse on, brood justice, equity, integrity, goodness, honesty, correctness,
on, meditate on, mull over, ruminate on, cogitate righteousness, probity, incorruptibility, scrupulousness,
uprightness, verity
precipitate – quicken, trigger, accelerate, advance,
hurry, dispatch, speed up, hasten, expedite renaissance – rebirth, revival, restoration, renewal,
preposterous – ridiculous, bizarre, incredible, awakening, resurrection, regeneration, resurgence
outrageous, shocking, crazy, absurd, foolish, ludicrous,
unthinkable, unreasonable, insane, irrational, senseless, rent(V) – tear, split, rip, slash, slit
laughable, asinine
rustic – rural, country, pastoral, bucolic, sylvan, simple,
prerogative – right, choice, claim, authority, title, homely, basic, plain, unsophisticated, unrefined, artless,
advantage, privilege, birthright, droit, perquisite unpolished
presumptuous – bold, arrogant, presuming, rash, sacrilege – desecration, violation, blasphemy, mockery,
audacious, conceited, foolhardy, insolent, overconfident heresy, irreverence, profanity, impiety, profanation,
profaneness
pristine – new, pure, immaculate, untouched, unspoiled,
unsullied, uncorrupted, undefiled, original sanctum – sanctuary, shrine, altar, holy place, refuge,
retreat
prolific – productive, creative, fertile, inventive, copious,
generative, profuse, fecund sap – weaken, drain, undermine, rob, exhaust, erode,
deplete, enervate, devitalize

saturnine – gloomy, grave, sombre, dour, morose, glum, stupor – numbness, unconsciousness, trance, coma,
dismal, melancholy, mournful, lugubrious, doleful lethargy, torpor, stupefaction, insensibility
scathing – critical, cutting, biting, harsh, savage, brutal, subjugate – defeat, crush, suppress, put down, overthrow,
searing, belittling, sarcastic, caustic, scornful, vitriolic, subdue, overpower, quell, rule over, enslave, vanquish
trenchant, mordant
tawdry – vulgar, cheap, tasteless, gaudy, showy,
sedentary – inactive, sitting, seated, desk, motionless, meretricious
torpid, lazy, sluggish, languid, slow, dull, passive, numb,
motionless, stagnant, inert, slow-moving, lethargic, titan – behemoth, colossus, giant, leviathan,
apathetic, drowsy, listless, indolent, languorous, mammothian
somnolent, lackadaisical, slothful
traitor – betrayer, deserter, turncoat, deceiver, informer,
seminal – influential, important, original, creative, renegade, defector, quisling, apostate, miscreant
productive, innovative, imaginative
turpitude – wickedness, evil, corruption, depravity,
sentient – feeling, living, conscious, live, sensitive, immorality, iniquity, viciousness, vileness, nefariousness
reactive
uncommunicative – reticent, reserved, withdrawn,
slack – negligent, lazy, lax, idle, inactive, tardy, guarded, silent, shy, curt, taciturn, unresponsive,
neglectful, slipshod, inattentive, remiss, dodge unforthcoming
slight – insignificant, negligible, weak, modest, trivial, unconquerable – invincible, unbeatable, indomitable,
superficial, feeble, trifling, meagre, unimportant, paltry, enduring, irresistible, irrepressible, insurmountable,
insubstantial, scanty unyielding, undefeatable
sordid – (a) base, degraded, shameful, vicious, shabby, unctuous – obsequious, plausible, oily, fawning,
vile, degenerate, despicable, disreputable, debauched cringing, ingratiating, insincere, sycophantic
(b) dirty, squalid, mean, foul, filthy, unclean, wretched,
slovenly unfledged – inexperienced, immature, callow, young,
green, raw, undeveloped
specious – fallacious, misleading, deceptive, plausible,
sophistic, casuistic unkempt – untidy, scruffy, dishevelled, disordered,
messy, sloppy, shabby, rumpled, slovenly, disarranged,
spotted – speckled, dotted, flecked, pied, specked, ungroomed, disarrayed
mottled, dappled
valor – gallantry, heroism, valiance, bravery, courage,
fearlessness, intrepidity, doughtiness, boldness, pluck,
stall – hinder, obstruct, impede, block, halt, slow down,
grit, fortitude
hamper, thwart, sabotage
verbiage – verbosity, repetition, tautology, redundancy,
stout – robust, brawny, plucky, fat, overweight, plump,
circumlocution, prolixity, periphrasis, wordiness, garrulity,
bulky, obese, fleshy, portly, rotund, corpulent, plucky
loquaciousness
COLLOCATIONS
Certain words go with certain others to convey a distinct amateur - competent, gifted, talented
meaning. This is called collocation. The combination of amenity - basic, excellent
words lends language a rich and native-speaker-like ammunition - live, blank
quality. antipathy - profound, deep, violent
aroma - pungent, rich, strong, lingering,
ability - exceptional, outstanding, uncanny, subtle
inherent, innate array - dazzling, stunning, diverse
accent - marked, pronounced, strong assumption - shared, widespread, underlying
access - direct, unlimited assurance - categorical
acquisition - latest, new, recent atmosphere - congenial, convivial, heady,
addition - valuable, useful, worthy oppressive, stifling
adjustment - minor, fine, appropriate aura - magical, faint
adversary - formidable, worthy aversion - strong
advice - constructive, practical, sound awareness - heightened, political, acute
advocate - ardent, outspoken, staunch
affair - glittering, grand, sordid bachelor - confirmed
affinity - strong, natural backfire - disastrously
affront - personal bearing - direct, significant
agenda - agreed, clear beast - savage, ferocious, mythical,
aggression - intense, controlled, naked legendary
alibi - cast-iron, solid background - privileged, disadvantaged
nd
Triumphant Institute of Management Education Pvt. Ltd. (T.I.M.E.) HO: 95B, 2 Floor, Siddamsetty Complex, Secunderabad – 500 003.

backing - unanimous, whole-hearted gambler - compulsive, inveterate
baggage - excess generalization - broad, sweeping, valid
barrage - intense, heavy gesture - flamboyant, sweeping, theatrical,
baritone - lusty, melodious dismissive, placatory
battle - fierce, pitched glimpse - fleeting, merest, quick
behaviour - exemplary, undesirable gossip - idle, malicious
bend - hairpin, sharp grounding - solid, basic
bias - clear, marked guess - calculated, inspired, intelligent
blaze - fierce
blizzard - fierce, howling hole - gaping, massive, yawing
bloom - exquisite, fragrant honour - signal, dubious
blush - deep, fiery, faint hostility - implacable, outright, bitter
bombing - indiscriminate, precision hunger - insatiable, alleviate
brand - leading, major, popular hypothesis - plausible, speculative
bravado - sheer, false
ideology - dominant, coherent
breach - grave, serious, flagrant
illustration - graphic, vivid
briefing - clear, detailed
imagery - powerful, resonant
brilliance - sheer, academic
impatience - growing, mounting
bruise - livid, purple, swollen
impression - overriding, overwhelming, fleeting,
budget - shoestring, tight, government
distinct
building - derelict, ramshackle, historic
imprint - indelible, unmistakable
burden - onerous, crippling, financial
indictment - damning, scathing
buyer - potential, prospective
indulgence - excessive
buzz - angry, low
inference - logical, reasonable, obvious
cake - moist, rich, sticky influx - vast, steady
camouflage - effective, excellent, protective intonation - flat, rising
campaign - sustained, vicious, concerted intrusion - unwarranted, unnecessary
career - brilliant, distinguished, promising irony - final, supreme, ultimate
casualty - heavy, light joy - sheer, overwhelming
charade - clever, pathetic jurisdiction - limited, exclusive
charm - considerable, immense
leaflet - promotional, useful
choice - informed, difficult
leap - prodigious, big
cliché - worn-out, popular
lecture - impromptu, interesting
clout - enormous, considerable
leniency - excessive, undue
cluster - compact, dense
lifestyle - sedentary, healthy, affluent
coincidence - sheer, pure
likeness - strong, good, superficial
comedy - slapstick, romantic
community - close-knit, tight-knit majority - overwhelming, substantial
conception - clear, distinct, traditional malice - pure, sheer
contradiction - flagrant, manifest, fundamental mandate - clear, legal, popular
contrast - stark, complete manner - conventional, time-honoured,
corruption - endemic, rampant, rife haphazard, arbitrary
cuisine - haute, nouvelle, local manoeuvre - complex, complicated, skilful
debt - enormous, crippling mansion - imposing, palatial
decline - precipitous, steep, steady matter - pressing, serious
defiance - blatant, flagrant menace - serious, growing
discretion - unfettered, utmost modesty - characteristic, becoming
ecstasy - pure, sheer need - compelling, paramount, crying,

egg - beat, fresh, boiled perceived
encounter - chance, brief negligence - gross, criminal
entertainment - popular, lavish, free niche - distinctive, suitable
epitaph - fitting, perfect norm - accepted, established,
evaluation - comprehensive, objective nuance - delicate, fine, subtle
exaggeration - gross, slight nudge - affectionate, gentle
examination - stiff, competitive obligation - contractual, statutory, mutual, moral
expression - coherent, concrete obscenity - string (of), scream
fate - grim, tragic observation - empirical, careful, direct
finale - rousing, grand odds - insuperable, overwhelming
fish - fillet, sea, tank omission - inadvertent, glaring
fluctuation - rapid, periodic, minor opposition - considerable, determined, bitter
force - brute, lethal optimist - incurable, eternal
foreboding - deep, gloomy organisation - umbrella, professional, voluntary
fury - controlled, pent-up origin - obscure, ancient
futility - utter orthodoxy - rigid, prevailing
oversight - unfortunate

paradox - curious, apparent subtlety - extreme, great, real
paranoia - increasing, mounting suggestion - constructive, practical, outrageous,
parody - brilliant, cruel preposterous, tentative
passport - valid, forged summons - peremptory, royal
pastime - rewarding, popular superiority - inherent, innate, overwhelming
patience - infinite, great supervision - close, minimal
peace - fragile, uneasy suspense - heart-pounding, nail-biting
penalty - harsh, heavy, severe, stiff suspicion - nagging, sneaking
peril - dire, grave symmetry - perfect, pleasing
persistence - dogged, remarkable, sheer sympathy - genuine, heartfelt
perspective - right, distorted
poison - strong, virulent taboo - rigid, deep-seated
popularity - massive, dwindling talent - inborn, innate, prodigious,
praise - lavish, unstinting remarkable
prediction - accurate, reliable technician - skilled, inexperienced
price - exorbitant, prohibitive technology - current, existing, emerging
pride - fierce, great timing - exact, precise
proof - conclusive, incontrovertible, toil - relentless, unceasing, unremitting
irrefutable, tangible
torrent - raging, roaring
proximity - close, geographical
transition - abrupt, rapid, phased
pursuit - relentless
trappings - outward, visible
quest - eternal, spiritual treason - high
question - probing, embarrassing trend - apparent, consistent, discernable,
quirk - odd, strange prevailing
tribute - glowing, handsome, silent
rage - pent up, suppressed, blind trick - cheap, dirty, nasty
rapport - instant, tremendous trickle - thin, steady
rebuff - stinging, humiliating triumph - final, latest, ultimate
rebuke - sharp, public trophy - coveted, prestigious, prized
reception - rousing, frosty, enthusiastic truth - absolute, gospel, harsh
recollection - vivid, faint, hazy turning point - crucial, major, significant
recording - accurate, detailed turnout - high, low
reflection - blurred, clear turnover - large, low, total
regard - due, scant, proper
regimen - strict, dietary undergrowth - deep, dense, tangled
rejection - blanket, outright understanding - profound, basic, proper
reputation - enviable, formidable undertaking - hazardous, worthwhile
retribution - fair, just, divine understatement - gross
reverence - profound, deep undertone - sinister, racist
rumour - scurrilous, vicious, false unemployment - large-scale, widespread
unrest - serious, violent, widespread
schedule - gruelling, punishing, tight upbringing - conventional, sheltered
scheme - grandiose, hare-brained uproar - great, mild, emotional
sense - acute, keen, poor upheaval - massive, violent
sentiment - lofty, strong utility - high, low, public
serenity - absolute
shadow - sinister, dark values - conservative, conventional, dominant
shiver - cold, delicious, involuntary vandalism - mindless, wanton
shout - muffled, raucous, triumphant variation - dramatic, extreme
sign - definite, telltale, outward vegetation - lush, sparse
similarity - marked, significant, striking vicinity - close, immediate
skill - consummate, remarkable victim - hapless, unwilling
skyscraper - towering vitality - renewed, sheer
sleep - fitful, uneasy, deep vocabulary - passive, rich, wide
slogan - catchy, snappy, popular void - aching, massive
slope - precipitous, steep, gradual vow - solemn
smile - enigmatic, rueful, sardonic, wry vulnerability - extreme
smirk - patronizing, self-satisfied wage - decent, fair, meagre
spectacle - unedifying, gold-rimmed warning - dire, grim, ominous, stark
speculation - intense, considerable waste - absolute, utter
spice - exotic win - emphatic, decisive, convincing
status - privileged, relative, marital wind - fierce, stiff
strategy - effective, coherent, comprehensive, windfall - unexpected
viable wish - fervent, dying
submission - complete, total withdrawal - imminent, strategic, ignominious
subsistence - bare, basic

FIGURES OF SPEECH
alliteration : The repetition of the same sound litotes : Conveying an affirmative by

at the beginning of each word. negating the opposite.
example : Peter Piper picked a peck of example : You are no fool.
pickled pepper.
malapropism : Word misused because of
anacoluthon : A sentence where the construction
is changed midway. confusion with a similar sounding
example : My feeling is why don’t you take a word, often creating a comic effect.
holiday? example : She became historical (hysterical)
after the incident.
anadiplosis : Repetition of a word or a group of
words at the end of one phrase metaphor : An implied comparison.
and the beginning of another for example : She sailed through the
rhetorical effect. examination with ease.
example : The explanation is so clear ____
so clear that no one can metonymy : Use of a term to refer to a wider
misunderstand my intentions. idea.
anastrophe : Inversion of the normal order of example : The Bench for the judges.
words for rhetorical effect.
example : Many a horrible sight have I seen. onomatopoeia : Use of words whose sound
suggests their meaning.
antithesis : Contrasting ideas put together. example : Buzz of bees.
example : Fight a war to bring peace.
antonomasia : Use of a name to refer to anyone oxymoron : Putting together the most unlikely
else who belongs to the same class. or contradictory terms.
example : She is the Lata Mangeshkar of the example : The careful carelessness of her
locality. attire.
aposiopesis or pathetic fallacy : Attributing human feelings to

ellipses : Sudden breaking off in a sentence natural or inanimate objects.
for dramatic effect. example : The car groaned under the load.
example : There was complete darkness.
The door opened and. ….
personification : Representation of an object or
apostrophe : Direct address to an absent or idea as human.
dead person or personified thing. example : Death came calling.
example : “Oh pain and sorrow! Why do you
trouble me thus?” simile : Comparison of two unlikely ideas or
objects using the words ‘like’ or ‘as’.
assonance : The repetition of the same vowel
example : Roads as smooth as Hema’s cheeks.
sound producing a rhyming effect.
example : The rain in Spain stays mainly on
syllepsis : Use of a single word to apply to
the plain.
two others in a different way.
asyndeton : Omission of conjunctions. example : He read the book and my thoughts.
example : I came, I saw, I conquered.
euphemism : Use of an inoffensive expression synecdoche : Use of a part to represent the
to soften a sharper one. whole or vice versa.
example : ‘He sleeps in eternal peace’ in example : Uneasy lies the head that wears a
place of ‘He died’. crown.
hyperbole : Exaggeration or overstatement for tautology : Needless repetition of words.
emphasis. example : Look ahead in front of you.
example : All the horses in Arabia cannot
drag me away from this project.
transferred
irony : A statement in which the real epithet : Misapplication of an adjective to a
meaning is exactly the opposite of noun for dramatic effect.
what is literally conveyed. example : Poisoned cup.
example : For Brutus is an honourable manl.

FOREIGN WORDS/PHRASES
FRENCH en route - along the way

entente cordiale - friendly understanding
affaire d’amour - a love affair between states
affair d’ honneur - a matter of honour entourage - people surrounding an
agent provocateur - a person employed to detect important person.
suspected offenders by entres nous - between ourselves
tempting them to overt self esprit de corps - spirit of comradeship
incriminating action fait accompli - irreversible fact
aide-de-camp - a subordinate office acting as faux pas - a blunder
a confidential assistant haute couture - high fashion
aide-memoire - a reminder hors de combat - out of action
a la carte - ordered from a menu idée fixe - an obsession
a la mode - in the manner of jeu d’espirit - witty comment
amour proper - self esteem joie de vivre - in high spirits
apropos - to the point laissez faire - non interference
au fait - familiar or conversant with melee - a confused fight, a muddle
avant garde - ahead of times, pioneers mot juste - the right expression
beau monde - fashionable society noblesse oblige - obligation of rank, privilege
belle époque - beautiful period entails responsibility
belles letters - good literature nom de plume - a pen name/pseudonym
bete noir - special object of dislike nouveau riche - a person who has recently
billet doux - love letter acquired wealth
bon mot - a witty saying par excellence - to the highest degree
bon vivant - one who loves luxury; parole - word of honour of a prisoner
a gourmand pied-a-terre - secondary residence
bon voyage - pleasant trip piece de resistance - the best item
bourgeoisie - the middle classes protégé - a person under the protection,
cadre - a basic unit, especially of patronage or tutelage of another
servicemen raison d'etre - purpose of existence
canard - a rumour risqué - something that is suggestive
carte blanche - free hand, unconditional or indelicate
authorization sang froid - controlled temperament
c’est la vie - that’s life savoir faire - ability to act appropriately
cause célébre - an issue that attracts a lot of tete á tete - private conversation
public attention tour de force - a remarkable feat
charge d’affaires - a subordinate diplomat vis a vis - in relation to
commit il faut - as it should be done; proper volte face - a complete change in conduct
coup d’grace - a death blow or policy
coup d’tat - violent or illegal seizure of
power GERMAN
cride Coeur - a heartfelt appeal
cuisine - a style or method of cooking angst - anxiety
debut - first public appearance blitzkrieg - lightning attack
déjà vu - a feeling of having seen or ersatz - artificial
done it earlier hausfrau - housewife
démodé - out of fashion kaiser - emperor
de rigeur - customary or fashionable kaput - useless
détente - relaxation of strained lebensraum - territory which a nation
relationship believes is needed for its
detenu - prisoner development
detour - a roundabout way realpolitik - harsh policy of national self
de trop - unwanted interest
double entendre - open to two interpretations, one zeitgeist - the spirit of the times
usually indecent
elan - style, dash IRISH
eminence grise - a person who exercises power Banshee - the wailing of a spirit that
without holding office warns of impending death
enfant terrible - a person who causes Leprechaun - mischievous elf
embarrassment by indiscreet Shebeen - illegal drinking house
behaviour
en famille - as one of the family
en masse - in a body, all together
ennui - boredom

ITALIAN dictum - a saying or maxim
e.g. - exempli gratia (for example)
Al fresco - in the open air ex gratia - as a favour
Che sara sara - what will be, will be et al - and others
Ciao - Hello/goodbye ex officio - by virtue of one’s office
Cicerone - a guide facsimile - a perfect copy
Dolce Vita - the good life gratis - free of charge
Prima donna - leading female performer homo sapiens - modern man
Sotto voce - in an undertone in memoriam - in memory of
JAPANESE inter alia - among other things
in toto - entirely
Aikido - martial art similar to judo ipso facto - by that fact
Bonsai - cultivation of miniature trees ipso jure - by the law itself
Geisha - lady who is a professional lacuna - gap
entertainer and companion for lapsus calami - a slip of the pen
men lapsus lingual - a slip of the tongue
Haiku - poem with 17 syllables lapsus memorial - a slip of the memory
Hara-kiri - ritual suicide by locus standi - a recognized status
disembowelling magnum opus - a great piece of work
Ikebana - art of flower arrangement mala fide - in bad faith/ with bad intention
Jujitsu - unarmed self-defence modus operandi - the way of working
Kamikaze - aircraft with explosives modus vivendi - way of living
crashing into enemy targets non sequitur - it does not follow
Origami - art of making decorative per se - by or in itself
shapes from paper persona grata - a welcome visitor
Saki - wine made from rice persona non grata - unacceptable or unwelcome
Samurai - aristocratic warrior in feudal person
Japan post mortem - an examination made after
Sayonara - goodbye death
Tanka - poem of 31 syllables prima facie - at first sight
Tatami - mat or floor covering pros and cons - for and against
pro rata - in proportion
LATIN pro tem/protempore - for the time being
quid pro quo - return made(for a gift, favour
ab absurdo - from absurdity etc)
ab initio - from the beginning quo vadis - whither goest thou
ab origine - from the origin religio loci - the spiritual feeling of a place
addendum - an appendix sanctum sanctorum - the holy of holies
ad arbitrium - at will sine die - indefinitely
ad hoc - for a specific purpose sine quo non - indispensable condition
ad hominem - relating to a particular person status quo - the existing state of affairs
ad infinitum - without limit sub judice - under judicial consideration
ad interim - for the time being sub rosa - privately
as nauseam - to a disgusting degree summmum bonum - the highest good
ad valorem - in proportion to the estimated terra firma - dry land, firm ground
value of the goods terra incognita - an unknown land
ad verbum - to the last word ultra vires - beyond one’s legal power or
alias - a false or assumed name authority
alibi - proof that you were else veni, vidi, vici - I came, I saw, I conquered
where when a crime was via media - a middle course
committed viz - namely
alma mater - gracious mother; school or
university one went to RUSSIAN
alpha and omega - the beginning and the end
alter ego - one’s other self babushka - a grand mother; a head scarf
alumnus - former student dacha - a country house
amor vincit omnia - love conquers all glasnost - policy of openness in
annus mirabilis - remarkable or auspicious year government
a priori - from cause to effect; deductive gulag - forced labour camp
bona fide - in good faith perestroika - policy of restructuring
caveat emptor - warning to buyer that the samovar - tea urn
purchase may not be exactly sputnik - artificial satellite
as hoped
corrigendum - corrections in a book SPANISH
de facto - in reality
de jure - by right, legally fiesta - religious festival, holiday
de novo - starting anew siesta - afternoon nap

CONFUSABLE WORDS
1. ACCESS / ASSESS
Access is a way of entering or reaching a place.
The only access to the ground was through a narrow gate.
Assess is to make a judgement about the nature or quality of somebody or something.
I wanted to assess the urgency of the issue before taking a decision.
2. ACCESSION / ASCENSION
Accession is the act of becoming a ruler of a county/becoming part of an international organization.
The first anniversary of the Queen’s accession to the throne will be celebrated with great pomp and splendour.
Ascension refers to the act of going to Heaven. Mother Teresa was conferred with sainthood after her ascension.
3. AFFECTION / AFFECTATION
Affection is a feeling of love.
Her affection for the orphans is obvious from her loving deeds.
Affectation is artificial behaviour.
He is a simple person without fuss or affectation.
4. ALTER / ALTAR
Alter is to change or to make someone or something different.
She wanted to alter her appearance.
Altar is a special table where religious ceremonies are performed.
He stood at the altar, waiting for the priest.
5. ANTICIPATE / EXPECT
Anticipate is to be aware of something in advance.
We anticipate a good monsoon this year.
Expect is to think or believe something will happen.
I expect you will do very well in your examination because you worked so hard.
6. APPRAISE / APPRISE
Appraise is to make an estimate.
Frequent appraisals of a company’s performance is the hallmark of good management.
Apprise means to inform.
I was apprised of the dangers that I might face during the trip.
7. ACCEDE / CONCEDE
Accede means to agree.
I acceded to his suggestion that I should continue my education before seeking employment.
Concede means to admit or give in to.
The opponent conceded defeat without much fight.
8. ADAPT / ADEPT / ADOPT

Adapt is to change in accordance with the need or situation.
In order to progress, one must adapt to change.
Adept means to be skilful at something.
These thieves are adept at breaking into locked houses.
Adopt is to become legal parents of a child that is not one’s own.
Many people have come forward to adopt the orphans after the tsunami.
9. ANTICS / ANTIQUE
Antics are absurd acts or postures.
His antics at the party amused everyone.
Antique is something very old which is very valuable.
This shop sells antique items.
10. AESTHETIC / ASCETIC

Aesthetic is something artistic or beautiful or tasteful.
The lady was praised for her aesthetic sense.
Ascetic is one who abstains from pleasures and luxuries.
He wanted to retire from his profession and lead the life of an ascetic.
11. ALLUDE / ELUDE

Allude is to hint at.
The lady alluded that her husband was to blame for the misunderstanding.
Elude means evade or escape from.
The facts of the incident eluded him.

12. ALLUSION / ILLUSION
Allusion is an indirect reference to something.
The allusion that I am a lazy person is false.
Illusion is false notion / idea or belief.
Do not have any illusion that this problem is easy to solve.
13. AFFECT / EFFECT
Affect is the influence of something upon something or someone.
Don’t let the weather affect your work.
Effect is the result of something.
The effect of the heavy monsoon this year is that we have adequate water in the city.
14. AURAL / ORAL / AURIC
Aural has to do with the sense of hearing.
The scientist has invented a new machine that will improve one’s aural faculties.
Oral refers to the spoken language.
Schools should lay adequate stress on oral work too.
Auric has to do with gold.
The auric splendour of the autumn leaves held everyone spellbound.
15. BENEFICIAL / BENEFICIARY
Beneficial is something that helps people to improve their lives.
Vitamins are beneficial to our health.
Beneficiary is someone who gains or is helped by something.
Mohan is the chief beneficiary of his father’s will.
16. BESIDE / BESIDES
Beside means next to.
There is a church beside my house.
Besides mean in addition to.
Besides teaching English, she can handle Maths classes also.
17. CASUAL / CAUSAL
Casual means relaxed and unconcerned.
Her casual attitude to the examination led to her failure.
Causal means acting as a cause, responsible. The management’s refusal to revise salaries was causal to the
strike.
18. COLLISION / COLLUSION

Collision is to crash into something.
The head-on collision of the bus and the car resulted in extensive damage to the smaller vehicle.
Collusion is a secret or illegal co-operation.
The policeman was in collusion with the black-marketer and so turned a blind eye to his activities.
19. COMPLAINT / COMPLIANT
A complaint is an expression of dissatisfaction.
The Principal took note of the child’s complaint about the non-availability of textbooks.
Compliant means to be willing.
The CEO of the company wanted a compliant work force.
20. COMPLEMENT / COMPLIMENT
Complement is to enhance or improve something.
This dress complements her beauty.
Compliment is to praise.
I complimented her on her good taste.
21. COMPLEMENT / SUPPLEMENT

Complement means to make a good combination.
The green curtains complement the wall paper.
Supplement means to add to.
He had to work overtime to supplement the family income.
22. CONFIDANT / CONFIDENT

Confidant is someone you can confide in.
Her sister is her confidant.
Confident is to be sure of.
Mayur was confident he could complete the task unaided.

23. CONSCIENTIOUS / CONSCIOUS
A conscientious person is one who is very careful about work.
The conscientious worker could not be persuaded to take leave till he had finished the job on hand.
To be conscious is to be aware.
I am conscious of the feelings of discontent among my staff.
24. CONTINUAL / CONTINUOUS

Continual is constantly or frequently occurring.
I am unable to finish this novel because of the continual interruptions.
Continuous is without a break.
Continuous rain for three whole days led to the flooding of all roads.
25. CREDIBLE / CREDULOUS

Credible is something that can be believed.
The minister’s claim that he was trying his best to contain terrorism sounded credible.
A credulous person is one who easily believes what he is told.
Quacks continue to operate in villages because of credulous poor.
26. DENY / REFUSE

Deny is used to say something is not true.
He denied that he had any role in the crime.
Refuse is to indicate unwillingness to accept or grant.
He refused to assist them in the crime.
27. DESERT / DESSERT

If we desert someone or a place, we leave them / it.
The politician was deserted by his supporters.
Dessert is the sweet dish served after a meal.
We had ice-cream and fresh fruit for dessert.
28. DISINTERESTED / UNINTERESTED

Disinterested is to be impartial or unbiased.
The viewers were disinterested observers of the game.
Uninterested means bored, not interested.
The lecture was uninteresting so I took out my book to read.
29. ECONOMIC / ECONOMICAL

Economic has to do with the management of money.
Economic policies can make or break governments.
Economical is sparing in the use of resources or money.
It is economical to buy goods in that shop.
30. EMINENT / IMMINENT

Eminent means well-known.
This country has produced many eminent scientists.
Imminent is something that is likely to happen immediately.
War is imminent, warned the minister.
31. ENDEMIC / EPIDEMIC

Endemic is something that is found regularly in a particular place.
Malaria is endemic in tropical countries.
Epidemic is the outbreak of disease, affecting a large number of people.
AIDS threatens to become an epidemic.
32. EXPLICIT / IMPLICIT

Explicit means something that is shown or expressed clearly.
The article dealt explicitly with corruption in high places.
Implicit means without question, absolute.
Implicit faith in the Almighty helps one to bear suffering.
33. EUPHEMISM / EUPHONIOUS

Euphemism is to couch something unpleasant in pleasant words.
The phrase ‘voluntary retirement’ may be a euphemism for redundancy.
Euphonious means sounding pleasant.
Euphonious notes of music floated in from the neighbour’s house.

34. FACILITATE / FELICITATE
Facilitate means to make easy.
The new road will facilitate quicker travel.
Felicitate means to congratulate.
A meeting was called to felicitate the outgoing manager.
32. FARTHER / FURTHER

Farther or further is used with reference to distance.
I cannot walk any farther/further.
Further means to a great extent or degree. Farther cannot be used here.
Prices have already touched the roof; can they go any further?
33. HISTORIC / HYSTERIC

Historic is something that is famous or significant in history.
The Taj Mahal is a historic monument.
Hysteric is a state of uncontrolled emotion.
The hysterical weeping of the woman brought a tear to every eye.
34. LUXURIOUS / LUXURIANT

Luxurious is something that is fine and expensive.
They lived in a luxurious house.
Luxuriant is something that grows healthily.
He owes his luxuriant crop of hair to a new hair oil.
35. IMAGINARY / IMAGINATIVE

Imaginary is something that is not real.
He suffered from imaginary fears.
Imaginative shows the use of one’s imagination.
Viplav is an imaginative writer who is very popular with the young.
36. INCREDIBLE / INCREDULOUS
Incredible is difficult or impossible to believe.
She told us an incredible story.
Incredulous means not willing or able to believe something.
He gave me an incredulous look when I said I had cooked the entire meal.
37. INDUSTRIAL / INDUSTRIOUS
Industrial is a word to describe things which relate to industry.
Industrial effluents are poisoning water bodies.
Industrious means hard working.
An industrious and willing worker is bound to attain success.
38. INTERCEDE / INTERVENE
Intercede is to speak in favour or on behalf of.
Ronak asked his father to intercede with the principal on his behalf.
Intervene means to interrupt or stop.
My father will return tomorrow unless the weather intervenes.
39. JEST / ZEST

Jest means humour.
He made the remark in jest.
Zest is enthusiasm.
His zest for painting even at the age of 90 is amazing.
40. MOMENTARY / MOMENTOUS
Momentary means lasting only for a short time.
She suffered from a momentary lapse of memory.
Momentous is something of very great importance.
Receiving the Noble Prize was a momentous occasion in his life.
41. NEGLIGENT / NEGLIGIBLE
Negligent means to be careless.
She was negligent about her appearance.
Negligible means so small as to be not worthy of attention.
Her contribution to the effort was negligible.

42. ORDINANCE / ORDNANCE
Ordinance is a law or an order or a statute.
The government has issued an ordinance forbidding the dumping of construction material on roads.
Ordnance refers to ammunition, weapons.
A new ordnance factory is to be set up in one of the southern states.
43. PERSPICACIOUS / PERSPICUOUS
Perspicacious means to have very clear judgement and understanding.
People relied on her because she was perspicacious.
Perspicuous is something that is clearly expressed.
The perspicuous nature of the document pleased everyone.
44. PLAUSIBLE / PROBABLE
Plausible is something that seems to be true.
Shama told us a plausible story.
Probable is something that has a good chance of being true.
It is probable that the strike will be called off.
45. POPULAR / POPULOUS

Popular is something or someone that is liked by all.
He is popular with college students.
Populous means thickly populated.
India is a populous country.
46. RAISE / RISE / RAZE
Raise is to lift or move something to a higher level.
Petrol prices have been raised again.
Rise is an increase in number.
There has been a sharp rise in the crime rate.
Raze is to destroy completely.
Many buildings were completely razed to the ground in the earthquake.
47. RECOURSE / RESOURCE
Recourse means to seek help from.
He took recourse to Yoga to overcome stress.
Resource is something one can use to increase one’s wealth.
The earth’s natural resources will soon be exhausted if man is not careful.
48. SENSUOUS / SENSUAL
Sensuous means something that gives pleasure to the mind or body through the sense.
The sensuous touch of the warm water in the bubble bath made her drowsy.
Sensual is something that shows or suggests a great liking for physical pleasures.
The sensual movement of her hips had everyone’s eye riveted to her.
49. REFUSE / REFUGE / REFUGEE
Refuse is waste or garbage.
The refuse from the city is dumped on the outskirts.
Refuge is shelter or protection.
People took refuge on roof tops to save themselves from the rising flood waters.
Refugee is someone who is forced to leave his country on account of war or other turmoil.
Many refugees from neighbouring countries have settled in India.
50. VENAL / VENIAL
Venal refers to the willingness to do dishonest or immoral things for money.
Eleven venal politicians were expelled from the Indian parliament in the cash-for-question case.
Venial refers to sin or fault that can be easily forgiven.
Even though the man was guilty of only a venial offence, his wife refused to pardon him.
51. VIRTUOUS / VIRTUOSO
Virtuous means being morally good.
She led a virtuous life.
Virtuoso is one who is good at a particular activity, especially a musical instrument.
L. Subramanyam is a violin virtuoso.
52. WILLING / WILLFUL
Willing is to be ready to do something.
I am willing to undertake the responsibility.
Willful is to show strong and unreasonable determination to have one’s way.
He is a willful child and is a trial for his parents.

53. YOLK / YOKE
Yolk is the yellow part of the egg.
Egg yolk is not used in this recipe.
Yoke is the wooden bar used on two animals so that they can work together.
The bullocks were yoked to the plough.
IDIOMS AND PHRASES
It is all one to me : just the same without any difference

To be on the alert : to be on guard; to be ready to act
In the air : prevalent, found everywhere
To agree to differ : to give up trying to convince each other
Achilles' heel : the one weak spot in someone's circumstance or character
Act as someone/something : to perform the actions or functions of (a specified person or thing)
Act for someone : to stand in as substitute for them
Act on/upon someone/something : to have an effect or influence on them or it
Act on/upon something : to follow (advice, etc); to obey (instructions, etc)
Act something out : to express (one’s feelings, fears, etc) in one’s behaviour, usually unconsciously
Act up : 1. said of a machine, etc: to fail or function erratically
2. to behave badly
To come of age : to reach adult status
To have an axe to grind : a personal interest in some matter; private ends to serve
To all intents and purpose : practically; virtually
To burn one's fingers : to cause oneself trouble or harm
To bid fair : to seem likely
To be beside oneself : to lose self-possession
In the palm of one’s hand : under one’s control or influence
To be in bad books of one : to be out of favour with one
To go back on one's word : to fail to keep up one's word
In black and white : in writing
On the brain : constantly in the thoughts
To be born with a silver spoon in
the mouth : to be born into wealth and luxury
To bring down the house : call forth general and loud applause
To be in bad odour : to be out of favour; in bad repute
To burn the candles at both ends : overtaxing the energies
To bury the hatchet : to make peace; to cease fighting
To blow one's own trumpet : to praise oneself
To the backbone : in every way; to the last bit; completely
A bone of contention : a subject of dispute
In one’s blood : inherent in one’s character
To bear a charmed life : to be invulnerable
Black sheep : bad character(s), scoundrel(s)
Bear down on / upon someone /
something : to move threateningly towards them or it
To bear fruit : to be productive
Bring something to bear : to apply or exert (especially pressure or influence) or bring something into operation
Bear on something : to affect, concern or relate to it
Bear someone/something out : to support or confirm them or it
Bear up : to remain strong or brave under strain or difficult circumstances
Bear with someone : to be patient with them
Book in : 1. to sign one’s name on the list of guests at a hotel.
2. to report one’s arrival at a hotel or conference reception desk, airport
Book someone in : to reserve a place or room for them in a hotel, etc.
Book something up : to fix and reserve in advance the tickets and other arrangements for (a holiday,
show, meal, etc)
At a person’s beck and call : having constantly to obey a person’s orders
To have a bone to pick with : to have a cause for quarrel
To have the blood run cold : to be horrified
With bag and baggage : completely with all belongings
To change hands : to go in some other’s possession
To come to the front : to attain prominence; to become conspicuous
To coin money : to make money very quickly
To be in character with : in keeping with
To create bad blood : to create ill-feeling, bitterness
In cold blood : deliberately done in a calculated manner and not in a moment of passion

To change colour : to turn pale
To be at cross purposes : to misunderstand each other
To be carried off the feet : wild with excitement
To the point : relevant or relevantly
To cook the accounts : to prepare false accounts
To catch red-handed : to catch at the moment of committing the crime
To be on the cards : not improbable; probably
To carry all before : to be completely successful; successful in convincing an audience
To crow over : to triumph over; to gloat over
To curry favour : to ingratiate oneself
To cut one's own throat : to ruin oneself
To cut short : to interrupt
To cut off without a shilling : to disinherit
To cut a poor figure : to make a poor impression
To come to a head : to reach a crisis
To catch / clutch / grasp at a straw : resort in desperation to an utterly inadequate expedient
Come what may : no matter what happens
Cut across something : 1. to go against (normal procedure, etc)
2. said of an issue, etc: to be more important than, or transcend (the barriers
or divisions between parties, etc)
3. to take a short cut through it, eg a field, etc
Cut back on something : to reduce spending, etc
Cut something down : to fell a tree, etc
Cut down on something : to reduce one’s use of it; to do less of it
Cut in : 1. to interrupt
2. (said of a vehicle) to overtake and squeeze in front of another vehicle
Cut something off : 1. to separate or isolate it
2. to stop (the supply of gas, electricity, etc)
3. to stop it or cut it short
Cut someone off : to disconnect them during a telephone call
Cut out : 1. (said of an engine, etc) to stop working
2. (said of an electrical device) to switch off or stop automatically, usually as a
safety precaution
Cut something out : 1. to remove or delete it
2. to clip pictures, etc out of a magazine, etc
3. to stop doing it
4. to exclude from consideration
5. to block out the light or view
Cut into someone : (said of the driver or a vehicle) to drive in front of (another vehicle) in a
dangerous manner
Cry something down : to be critical of it
Cry off : to cancel an engagement or agreement
Cry out for something : to be in obvious need of it
Cry someone or something up : to praise them or it
Crack down on someone/something: to take firm action against them or it
Crack up : to suffer an emotional breakdown
On the rest of a wave : at the most favourable moment in one’s progress
Carry something forward : to transfer (a number, amount, etc) to the next column, page or financial period
Carry something off : 1. to manage (an awkward situation, etc)
2. to win (a prize, etc)
3. to take something away by force
Carry on : 1. to continue; to keep going
2. to make a noisy or unnecessary fuss
Carry weight : be influential or important
Carry on with someone : to have a love affair with them
Carry something out : to accomplish it successfully
Carry something over : 1. to continue it on the following page, etc; to carry forward
2. to postpone it
Carry someone through : to help them to survive a difficult period, etc
Carry something through : to complete or accomplish it
To die in harness : to continue to the last in business or profession
To draw one out : to elicit information out from one
At the drop of a hat : given the slightest excuse
To be a dead letter : to be no longer in force
To draw the line : to fix the limits
At daggers drawn : have strained relations
Dog in the manger : a person who prevents others from using something, although he has no use for it

Do away with someone / something: to abolish; to murder
Do someone / something down : to speak of them or it as if unimportant or not very good
Do or die : persist regardless of danger
Do someone in : to kill them
Dos and Don’ts : rules of behaviour
Do someone out of something : to deprive them of it especially by trickery
Do oneself up : to dress up
Do something up : to repair, clean or improve the decoration of a building
Do without something : to manage without it
Draw back : to retreat; to recoil
Draw a person’s fire : attract hostility, criticism etc. away from a more important target
Draw in : said of nights; to start earlier, making days shorter
Draw on something : to make use of assets from a fund or source, draw on reserves of energy
Draw someone out : to encourage them to be less shy or reserved
Draw up : to come to a halt
Draw oneself up : to lift oneself into an upright position; to straighten up
Draw something up : to plan and write (a contract or other document)
Could do with something/someone : would benefit from having them or it
Draw in one’s horns : become less assertive or ambitious
To be all ears : to pay deep attention
To be all eyes : to eagerly watch
To eat a humble pie : to apologize humbly
To eat one's words : to take back what one has said
To end in smoke : to end without any result
To be every inch : entirely; completely
Eat something away or eat
away at something : 1. to gnaw it
2. to eat into it
Eat in : to eat at home rather than in a restaurant, café, etc
Eat into/through something : 1. to use it up gradually
2. to waste it
3. to destroy its material, substance or form, especially by chemical action; to
corrode it
Eat out : to eat at a restaurant, café, etc rather than at home
Eat up : to finish one’s food
Eat something up : 1. to finish (one’s food)
2. to destroy it
3. to absorb; to listen with real interest
Be eaten up with something : to be consumed by (jealousy, etc)
To have an eye to the main chance: have the main objective of making money
Of flesh and blood : human nature
To a fault : excessively
Not fit to hold a candle : not to be named in comparison with
To foot the bill : to pay for it
To fall foul of : to quarrel with
To fight tooth and nail : with all the power
At the first blush : at the first sight
To be in full swing : very active
To fight shy of : dislike; to avoid
To fall short of expectations : to disappoint
To feel like a fish out of water : to be in a strange situation; like one out of his element
By fits and starts : irregularly; capriciously
To feather one's own nest : to make money unfairly
To fall flat : to produce no effect; to cause no interest; to become a fiasco
Far and away : by a very large amount
A far cry : a long way off; no easy transition
Fall about : to be helpless with laughter
Fall apart : 1. to break into pieces
2. to fail; to collapse
Fall away : 1. (said of land) to slope downwards
2. to become fewer or less
3. to disappear
Fall back : to move back; to retreat
Fall back on something : to make use of it in an emergency
Fall behind or fall behind with
something : 1. to fail to keep up with someone, with one’s work, etc
2. to be late in paying instalments, rent, etc

Fall down (on) : perform poorly
Fall foul of : come into conflict with
Fall for someone : to become infatuated with them, or fall in love with them
Fall for something : to be deceived or taken in by it; to be conned by it
Fall in : 1. (said eg of a roof) to collapse
2. said of a soldier, etc: to take his or her place in a parade
Fall into place : begin to make sense
Fall in with someone : to chance to meet or coincide with them
Fall in with something : to agree to it; to support it
Fall off : to decline in quality or quantity; to become less
Fall on/upon someone : 1. to attack them
2. to embrace them passionately
Fall out : 1. said of soldiers: to come out of military formation
2. to happen in the end; to turn out
Fall out with someone : to quarrel with them, and then not talk to them or have contact with them for a
period of time
Fall through : (said of a plan etc) to fail; to come to nothing
Fall to someone : something that becomes one’s job
After a fashion : to a certain degree; not satisfactorily
To have at one's finger's ends : to know thoroughly
To gain ground : to become more widely influential
To get into hot water : to get into trouble
To get the better of one : to overcome someone
To get it into one’s head : firmly believe or maintain
To go out of hand : to lose control; to go out of control
A gift of the gab : a talent for speaking
To give oneself airs : to behave arrogantly
To go home to one : to have the desired impact, to deeply affect
To be in the good books : to be in favour with
Get the worst of it : be defeated
To give a piece of one's mind to : to scold
To be as good as : practically
To be as good as one's word : to keep one's promise
To be as good as gold : to be very good
To get the better of : to gain advantage over
To be Greek and Latin : something that is not understood
To give chapter and verse : full and precise reference to authority
To give a false colouring : to misrepresent
To give a cold shoulder : to treat in a cold and distant manner
To give a person in charge : to hand a person over to police
To cast the gorge at : to reject with loathing
To give a handle to : to furnish an occasion for
Get about/around : 1. to travel; to go from place to place
2. said of a rumour, etc: to circulate
Get something across : to make it understood
Get ahead : to make progress, to be successful
Get along with someone : to be on friendly terms with them
Get out of : avoid or escape (a duty etc)
Get at something : 1. to reach or take hold of it
2. to suggest or imply it
Get away : 1. to leave or be free to leave
2. to escape
3. an exclamation: used to express disbelief, shock, etc
Get away with something : to commit (an offence or wrongdoing etc) without being caught or punished
Get back at someone : to take revenge on them
Get by : 1. to manage to live
2. to be just about acceptable
Get someone down : to make them sad or depressed
Get something down : 1. to manage to swallow it
2. to write it down
Get down to something : to apply oneself to (a task or piece of work)
Get something in : 1. to gather or harvest it
2. to succeed in doing or making it before something else occurs
Get round to : deal with (a task) in due course
Get into something : to develop a liking or enthusiasm for it
Get in with someone : to become friendly with them, often for selfish reasons
7Get off/get someone off : 1. to escape, or cause them to escape, with no punishment or with only the

stated punishment
2. to fall asleep or send (eg a child) to sleep.
Get off something : to stop discussing or dealing with (a subject)
Get round/around : successfully coax especially to secure a favour
Get on : to make progress; to be successful
Get on at/someone : to pester or criticize them continually
Get on to someone : 1. to make contact with them
2. to begin dealing with them
Get on to something : 1. to find out the truth about it
2. to start dealing with a matter
Get on with someone : to have a friendly relationship with them
Get out of : said of information: extracted from someone
Get something out : 1. to manage to say it, usually with difficulty
2. to publish it
Get out of something : to avoid having to do it
Get over someone/something : to be no longer emotionally affected by them or it, to recover from something
(an illness, disappointment, etc.)
Get something over : to explain it successfully; to make it understood
Get something over with : to deal with (something unpleasant) as quickly as possible
Get round : (said of information, a rumour, etc) to become generally known
Get round someone : to persuade them or win their approval or permission
Get round to something/someone : to deal with it or them eventually
Get through something : 1. to complete (a task, piece of work, etc)
2. to use it steadily until it is finished
3. to pass (a test, etc)
Get someone through : to help someone pass (a test, etc)
Get through to someone : 1. to make contact with them by telephone
2. to make them understand
Get through : pass or assist in passing
Get oneself up : to get dressed up
Get something up : 1. to arrange, organize or prepare it
2. to learn it by deliberate effort
3. to increase and maintain (speed)
Get someone up : to make them get out of bed
Get together : to assemble, especially for a specified purpose
Get up to something : to do or be involved in it, especially when it is bad, unwelcome or not approved of
To come to grief : to fail; to ruin
To go out of the way : to take special trouble
To go hard with : to suffer severely; to prove a serious matter
To hold water : to stand scrutiny
By hook or by crook : by any means - fair or foul
To hang together : to be consistent; to keep united
With a high hand : oppressively; having some power
To be hand and glove
(also hand in glove) : to be deeply involved (negative connotation) on very intimate terms
To hope against hope : to hope even when the result seems to be futile.
To hit the nail on the head : to state the truth exactly
To have one's heart in the right place: be of a kindly and sympathetic disposition
To be in high spirits : to be cheerful; joyful
To be in hand : to be under control
To have one's hands full : to be very busy
To have a hand : to be involved in or concerned with
To harp on the same string : dwell tediously on the same subject
To be hard of hearing : slightly deaf
Heads I win, tails you lose : in any case I will be the winner
To do the handsome thing
by somebody : to behave in a magnanimous manner towards somebody
To hang in the balance : to be undecided
To go to heart : to touch deeply
To hold good : to be valid; to remain deliberation
To be head and shoulders above : be much above
To hang on somebody's lips/words : to listen eagerly to somebody's words; to give close admiring attention to
somebody
To hang fire : be slow in taking action or in progressing
To heap coals of fire on the
head of enemy : to return good for evil and make the enemy ashamed of enmity.
A hard nut to crack : a difficult problem to solve

To be in hot water : to be in trouble
Hobson's choice : no choice at all
Hoist with (or by) one’s own petard : affected adversely by one’s schemes against others
Hang about/around : 1. to waste time; to stand around doing nothing
2. to stay or remain
Hang about or around with someone: to spend a lot of time in their company
Hang back : to be unwilling or reluctant to do something
Hang on : 1. to wait; “I’ll hang on for a bit”
2. to carry on bravely, inspite of problems or difficulties
Hang on something : 1. to depend on it. Eg. It all hangs on the weather
2. to listen closely to it. Eg. Hanging on her every word
Hang something on someone : to blame them for it
Hang on to something : to keep a hold or control it
Hang out : 1. to lean or bend (eg of a window, etc)
2. (said of clothes) to hang up outside to dry
3. to frequent a place. Eg. He hangs out in local bars
Hang something out : to hang up (washing) outside to dry
Hang together : make sense
Hang over someone : (said of an unresolved problem, decision, etc) to overshadow or threaten them
Hang over something : to project over or lean out from it
Hang together : 1. (said of two people) to be united and support each other
2. (said of ideas etc), to be consistent
Hang up : to finish a telephone conversation by replacing the receiver
Hang something up : to hang something on a hook, hanger, etc
To have an old head on
young shoulders : to be wise beyond one's age
To be at issue : to be in dispute
To be ill at ease : uncomfortable; uneasy; anxious
The ins and outs of : the full details of
To have too many irons in the fire : to engage oneself into many works at the same time
To keep pace with : to progress at an equal rate (speed)
To keep in the dark : to keep in ignorance; to hide
To keep in touch with : to have knowledge of
To keep one's own counsel : to preserve a discreet silence; not sharing details of one's plans with others
To kick up a row : to make a great noise
Of a kind : of the same type
In kind : in the same way; in the same measure
To know a thing or two : to be wise or cunning
To keep a good table : to provide luxurious food
To keep one's head above water : to keep out of debt
To keep at arm's length : to keep at a distance
To keep up appearances : to keep an outward show of prosperity
To know what one is about : to be far-sighted and prudent
To keep the wolf from the door : to keep away from starvation
To keep on tenterhooks : to keep in a state of suspense and anxiety
Keep a stiff upper lip : to show no emotion or worry when faced with difficulties
Knock about/around : 1. to wander about (a place) in a casual and aimless way; to lie about unused;
to die knocking about the streets
2. to travel about, roughing it and having varied experience. Eg. He knocked
about Europe for the summer
Knock someone about/around : to treat them roughly; to hit or batter them
Knock about with someone : to associate or go about with them
Knock someone back : 1. to cost them (a specified amount) Eg. Knocked me back 500 quid
2. surprise, dismay, or disappoint them
3. to rebuff or reject them; to turn them down
Knock someone down : to strike them to the ground, knocked down by a car
Knock something down : 1. to demolish (a building)
2. to reduce its price
Knock together : put together hastily
Knock into someone : to meet them by chance or unexpectedly
Knock into someone/something : to collide with them
Knock something into someone : to teach it to them forcefully
Knock off : 1. to finish work
2. strike off with a blow
Knock something off : 1. to produce it or them at speed or in quick succession, apparently quite easily
2. to deduct (a certain amount)
3. to rob or steal it

4.to copy and distribute illegally
5.(often in commands) to stop it
Knock someone out : 1.to make them unconscious, especially by hitting them
2.boxing to make them unconscious or render them incapable of rising in the
competition
3. to amaze them; to impress them greatly
Knock someone sideways : to come as a severe shock to them; to devastate or disconcert them
Knock something together : to make it hurriedly
Knock up : to exchange practice shots with one’s opponent before a match
Knock someone up : 1. to wake them by knocking
2. to exhaust them
3. coarse slang to make them pregnant
Know a thing or two : be experienced or shrewd
Kick about/around : 1. to lie around unused and neglected
2. to be idle; to go about aimlessly
Kick someone/around : to treat them badly or roughly
Kick something about/around : to discuss (an idea, etc) informally among several people
Kick in : to take effect
Kick off : 1. to start, or restart, a football game by kicking the ball away from the center
Kick something off : to begin (a discussion, etc)
Kick someone/something out : to dismiss or get rid of them or get rid of it, especially using force
To lose ground : to become less powerful or acceptable
To live from hand to mouth : satisfying only one’s immediate needs
In the long run : eventually; ultimately
To live by one's wits : to live by deceit or fraud
To the letter : exactly with adherence to every detail
To lord over : to dominate
The long and the short of it : the simple fact; the whole matter in a few words
To leave no stone unturned : to adopt all possible means
To be on last legs : on the verge of ruin
To lie in the bed that one has made: to take the consequences of one's own acts; suffer for one's misdeeds
To lay hands on : to catch hold of
To leave for good : to leave permanently
To lay at the door : to impute blame
To let the grass grow under one's feet: to remain idle; to procrastinate
Leave a person cold : not impress or excite a person
To leave one in the lurch : to desert one in difficulties; to leave one in a helpless condition
To be led by the nose : to follow submissively
Let someone or something down : to disappoint or fail to help them at a crucial time.
Let someone in for something : to involve them in something difficult or unpleasant
Let someone in on something : to share a secret, etc with them
Let off : let go without punishment
Let someone/something off : to release them or it from work, duties, etc
Let up : to stop or to become less strong or violent
Eg. The rain let up at last
Lay something aside : 1. to put it to one side, especially for later use or treatment
2. to discard or abandon it
Lay something by : to put away for future use
Lay something down : 1. to put it on the ground or some other surface
2. to give it as a deposit, pledge, formulate or device
3. to give up or sacrifice (life)
4. to formulate or device (law)
5. to store (wine) in a cellar
6. to begin to build (a ship or railway)
7. to put (music) onto tape, CD, etc
Lay something in : to get and store a supply of it
Lay hands on : seize or attack
Lay into something : to eat it quickly and with enthusiasm
Lay someone off : to dismiss (an employee) when there is no work available
Lay a charge : make an accusation
Lay off someone : to leave them alone
Lay something on : to provide a supply of it
Lay someone out : 1. to knock them unconscious
2. to prepare (a dead body) for burial
Lay something out : 1. to plan and arrange (especially land or natural features)
2. to spread it our or display it
3. to spend it

Lay someone up : to force them to stay in bed or at home
Lay something up : 1. to keep or store it
2. to put (a ship) out of use, especially for repairs
To bring to light : to disclose
The long and short of it : the eventual outcome
Lock, stock and barrel : the whole of a thing
To make both ends meet : to live within one's income
To meet half-way : to compromise
To make one's mark : to be of the same opinion
To make up one's mind : to decide; to resolve
To make a clean breast of : to confess without reserve
A man of straw : a man of no substance or consequence
To make neither head nor tail : to make nothing of
To be a mare's nest : a worthless thing
To make light of : to treat lightly without taking serious note of
To make the most : to use to the best advantage
To mean business : to be in earnest
To make the blood creep : to fill with horror (anger)
To make common cause with : to side with and give support
To make the flesh creep : to horrify
To move heaven and earth : to make every possible effort
To make a pile : to make a fortune
A man of his words : a trustworthy man
To make over : to transfer the possession of (a thing) to a person
To make shift : to get along as best as one can
To a man : everyone without exception
To be beside the mark : not to the point; irrelevant
To make good the loss : to compensate the loss
Not to mince matters/words : to speak unreservedly and frankly
To make ducks and drakes of : to squander
In the nick of time : just at the right moment; opportunely
Nip in the bud : to make it fail before it could mature
To be neither here nor there : irrelevant;
To a nicety : exactly
To nail one’s colours to the mast : refuse to surrender or climb down
Not to be in one's line : not to be in one's province or area of activities
Off and on
(sometimes used as “on and off”) : now and then; occasionally
The order of the day : the prevailing state of things
To be out of date : obsolete
To be out of spirits : gloomy; sad
To be out of the question : not to be thought of, impossible
Over the heads of : above the comprehension of
To be over head and ears : to be deeply immersed or involved
To be out of the way : strange; eccentric; abnormal
To be at one with : to be of the same opinion
To be out of pocket : to have no money
To be with open arms : to be ready for a warm welcome
To put on one's mettle : to rouse a person to do his best
To play fast and lose : to say one thing and do another; be unreliable
To pay off old scores : to take revenge
To put a spoke in the wheel : to thwart; to stop
To put one's foot down : to take a resolute stand
To put one's foot in something : to blunder
To put one's foot down : to remain firm (at one decision)
To put a finger in the pie : to do something with the affair; to mix up in the affair
To put heads together : to consult one another
To pay back in one's own coin : to treat one in the same way he has treated
To play false : to deceive; to betray
To pocket affront : to receive or submit to something without protest
To put on the market : to offer for sale
Pass muster : accept as satisfactory
To put a good face on : to bear up courageously
To play with fire : to trifle with matters liable to cause trouble
To put one's hand in one's pocket : to give money in charity
To put one's heart in the right place: be faithful and true-hearted
To put two and two together : to reason logically; to draw correct inference

To put the screw on : to bring pressure to bear on
In the pink : in the best of health
In the palm of one’s hand : in one’s power
Palm something off on someone/
palm someone off with something : to give them something unwanted or unwelcome, especially by trickery
Play about/around : to behave ineffectively or irresponsibly
Play about/around with someone : to behave irresponsibly towards them, their affections, etc
Play about/around with something : to fiddle or meddle with it
Play someone along : to manipulate them, usually for one’s own advantage
Play along with someone : to co-operate with them for the time being; to humour them
Play at something : 1. to make a pretence of it, especially in play, eg., play at being cowboys
2. to indulge in it trivially or flippantly, eg. play at politics
3. (ironic) to try to achieve it, eg. what are they playing at?
Play something back : to play (a film or sound recording) through immediately after making it
Play something down : to represent it as unimportant, to minimize, make light of or discount it
Play off : 1. to replay a match, etc after a draw
2. (golf) to play from the tee
Play one person off against another: to set them in rivalry, especially for one’s own advantage
Play on something : 1. to exploit (someone’s fears, feelings sympathies, etc) for one’s own benefit
2. to make a pun on it. eg. played on the two meanings of ‘batter’
Play something on someone : to perpetrate (a trick or joke) against them
Play something out : to act out in real life a part, scene, etc that is so predictable that it could have
come from a play
Play out/across something : (said of light, facial expression, etc), to flicker over, across, etc (a surface, etc)
Play up : 1. to behave unco-operatively
2. to cause one pain or discomfort, e.g., His stomach is playing up again
3. (said of a machine etc) to function faultily
4. to try one’s hardest in a game, match, etc
Play something up : to highlight it or give prominence to it
Play up to someone : to flatter them; to ingratiate oneself with them
Play with someone : 1. said especially of children: to spend time in recreation with them
2. to joke with them at their expense
Play with something : to contemplate (an idea, plan, etc), e.g., played with the idea of becoming a writer
Pick at something : 1. to eat only small quantities of (one’s food)
2. to keep pulling at (a scab, etc) with one’s fingernails
Pick a quarrel : start an argument or fight deliberately
Pick on someone : 1. to blame them unfairly
2. to bully them
3. to choose them for an unpleasant job
Pick on something : to choose it
Pick someone out : 1. to select them from a group
2. to recognize or distinguish them among a group or crowd
Pick on : to find faults
Pick over : select the best from
Pick up : said of a person, a person’s health, or a situation: to recover or improve
Pick up or pick something up : to resume
Talk the hind leg off a donkey : talk continuously
Talk nineteen to the dozen : talk continuously
Talk through one’s hat : 1. talk nonsensically
2. exaggerate
To be up-to-date : modern; recent
Up to the mark : quite satisfactory
An ugly customer : formidable person to deal with
Under one's nose : in the very presence of one
Upto the eyes : completely; to its full extent
Upto the mark : in excellent health; completely prepared or fit
To be under the thumb of : to be completely under the influence or control of
Under false pretences : by giving a deliberately misleading impression
Make a virtue of necessity : derive some credit or benefit from an unwelcome obligation
With one voice : unanimously
Not worth his salt : quite worthless
To win one's laurels : to acquire glory
To win one's spurs : to make reputation or to gain distinction
Without reserve : fully; implicitly

To wash one's hands off something: refuse to be involved any more
To be within an ace of : on the point of, within the reach of
To be well-balanced : to be reasonable; moderate
A wild-goose chase : a foolish and fruitless search
Wash one’s hands of : renounce responsibility
A wolf in sheep's clothing : a hypocrite
To wash one's dirty linen in public : discussing unpleasant private matters before strangers
To be on the wrong side of sixty : to be more than sixty years of age
White elephant : an item that is expensive to maintain
For want of something : in the absence of it
In want of something : needing it
Warm to someone : to gain in affection or approval from them
To be at wit’s ends : to be quite puzzled; not knowing what is to be done
Lay waste : ravage
Whistle in the dark : pretend to be unafraid
Within a stone's throw : at a short distance from
To do yeoman service : to do an excellent service
Commonly Misspelt words

ab-bre-vi-ate all right ar-riv-al bat-tery
a-brupt al-most ar-ti-cle beau-ti-ful
ab-sence al-ready ar-ti-fi-cial beau-ty
ab-so-lute-ly al-though as-cend be-come
ab-sorb-ent al-to-geth-er as-cer-tain be-com-ing
ab-surd a-lu-mi-num as-i-nine beg-gar
a-bun-dance am-a-teur as-sas-sin be-gin-ning
ac-cel-er-ate a-mend-ment as-sign-ment be-hav-ior
ac-com-mo-date a-mong as-sist-ance be-ing
ac-com-pa-ny a-mount as-so-ci-ate be-lief
ac-com-plice a-nal-y-sis as-so-ci-a-tion be-lieve
ac-com-plish an-a-lyze as-sume ben-e-fi-cial
ac-cor-dance an-cient as-sur-ance ben-e-fit-ed
ac-count an-ec-dote as-ter-isk be-tween
ac-cu-mu-late an-gle ath-lete bi-cy-cle
ac-cu-rate an-ni-hi-late at-tach bis-cuit
ac-cus-tomed an-ni-ver-sa-ry at-tack bliz-zard
ache an-nounce at-tempt bought
a-chieve-ment an-nu-al at-tend-ance bound-a-ry
ac-knowl-edge a-noint at-ten-tion break-fast
ac-quain-tance a-non-y-mous at-ti-tude breathe
a-cross an-swer at-tor-ney brief
ac-tu-al ant-arc-tic at-trac-tive bril-liant
ad-di-tion-al an-tic-i-pate au-di-ble brought
ad-dress anx-i-ety au-di-ence bro-chure
ad-mis-si-ble anx-ious au-thor-i-ty bruise
ad-mit-tance any-thing au-to-mo-bile budg-et
ad-van-ta-geous apart-ment au-tumn bul-le-tin
ad-ver-tise-ment a-pol-o-gize aux-il-ia-ry buoy-ant
ad-ver-tis-ing ap-pa-ra-tus a-vail-a-ble bu-reau
ad-vice ap-par-ent-ly av-er-age bur-glar
ad-vise ap-peal aw-ful bury
ae-ri-al ap-pear-ance aw-ful-ly busi-ness
af-fect ap-pe-tite awk-ward busy
a-gain ap-pli-ca-tion bach-e-lor caf-e-te-ria
a-gainst ap-point-ment bag-gage caf-fe-ine
ag-gra-vate ap-pre-ci-ate bal-ance cal-en-dar
ag-gres-sion ap-proach bal-loon cam-paign
agree-able ap-pro-pri-ate bal-lot can-celed
a-gree-ment ap-prov-al ba-nan-a can-di-date
aisle ar-chi-tect band-age ca-noe
al-co-hol arc-tic bank-rupt can’t
a-lign-ment ar-gu-ment bar-gain ca-pac-i-ty
al-ley a-rith-me-tic bar-rel cap-tain
al-lot-ted a-rouse base-ment car-bu-ret-or
al-low-ance ar-range-ment basis ca-reer

car-riage con-sci-en-tious dis-agree-able ex-er-cise
cash-ier con-scious dis-ap-pear ex-haust
ca-tas-tro-phe con-se-quence dis-ap-point ex-hi-bi-tion
caught con-ser-va-tive dis-ap-prove ex-hil-a-ra-tion
cav-al-ry con-sid-er-ably dis-sas-trous ex-is-tence
cel-e-bra-tion con-sis-tent dis-ci-pline ex-or-bi-tant
cem-e-ter-y con-sit-tu-tion dis-cov-er ex-pect
cen-sus con-tempt-ible dis-cuss ex-pe-di-tion
cen-tu-ry con-tin-u-al-ly dis-cus-sion ex-pen-sive
cer-tain con-tin-ue dis-ease ex-pe-ri-ence
cer-tif-i-cate con-trol dis-sat-is-fied ex-plain
change-a-ble con-ve-nience dis-tin-guish ex-pla-na-tion
char-ac-ter con-vince dis-trib-ute ex-pres-sion
chauf-feur cool-ly di-vide ex-qui-site
chief co-op-er-ate di-vine ex-ten-sion
chim-ney cor-dial di-vi-sion ex-tinct
choc-o-late cor-po-ra-tion doc-tor ex-traor-di-nary
choose cor-re-spond doesn’t ex-treme-ly
Chris-tian cough doubt fa-mil-iar
cir-cu-lar couldn’t drudg-ery fa-mous
civ-i-li-za-tion coun-try du-pli-cate fas-ci-nate
cli-en-tele cour-age dye-ing fash-ion
cli-mate cou-ra-geous dy-ing fa-tigue
climb cour-te-ous ear-nest fau-cet
clothes cour-te-sy eco-nom-i-cal fa-vor-ite
coach cous-in econ-o-my fea-ture
col-lar crit-i-cism ec-sta-sy Feb-ru-ary
col-lat-er-al crit-i-cize ef-fi-cien-cy fed-er-al
col-lege cru-el eighth fem-i-nine
colo-nel cu-ri-os-i-ty ei-ther fer-tile
col-or / col-our cur-ric-u-lum elab-o-rate field
col-umn cus-tom elec-tric-i-ty fierce
com-ing cus-tom-ary el-e-phant fi-ery
com-mence cyl-in-der el-i-gi-ble fi-nal-ly
com-mer-cial dai-ly elim-i-nate fi-nan-cial-ly
com-mis-sion de-ceit-ful em-bar-rass for-eign
com-mit de-ceive emer-gen-cy for-feit
com-mit-ment de-cid-ed em-i-nent for-mal-ly
com-mit-ted de-ci-sion em-pha-size for-tu-nate
com-mit-tee dec-la-ra-tion em-ploy-ment for-ty
com-mu-ni-cate dec-o-rate emul-sion foun-tain
com-mu-ni-ty de-fense en-cour-age fourth
com-par-a-tive de-ferred en-deav-or frag-ile
com-par-i-son def-i-nite en-gi-neer fran-ti-cal-ly
com-pel def-i-ni-tion En-glish freight
com-pe-tent de-li-cious enor-mous friend
com-pe-ti-tion de-pot enough fun-da-men-tal
com-pet-i-tive-ly de-scend en-ter-tain gad-get
com-plain de-scribe en-thu-si-as-tic gan-grene
com-ple-ment de-scrip-tion en-tire-ly ga-rage
com-plete-ly de-serve en-trance gas-o-line
com-plex-ion de-sign en-vel-op (v.) ge-ne-al-o-gy
com-pli-ment de-sir-able en-ve-lope (n.) gen-er-al-ly
con-cede de-sir-ous en-vi-ron-ment gen-er-ous
con-ceive des-per-ate equip-ment ge-nius
con-cern-ing des-sert equipped gen-u-ine
con-cert de-ter-mine equiv-a-lent ge-og-ra-phy
con-ces-sion de-vel-op es-pe-cial-ly ghet-to
con-clude de-vel-op-ment es-sen-tial glo-ri-ous
con-crete di-a-mond es-tab-lish gnaw
con-demn dic-tio-nary ev-i-dence gov-ern-ment
con-di-tion dif-fer-ence ex-ag-ger-ate gov-er-nor
con-fer-ence dif-fer-ent ex-ceed gra-cious
con-ferred dif-fi-cul-ty ex-cel-lent grad-u-a-tion
con-fi-dence di-lap-i-dat-ed ex-cept gram-mar
con-grat-u-late di-plo-ma ex-cite grate-ful
con-science di-rec-tor ex-ec-u-tive grat-i-tude

grease in-gen-u-ous lun-cheon omit-ted
grief in-im-i-ta-ble ma-chine opin-ion
griev-ous ini-tia-tion mag-a-zine op-por-tu-ni-ty
gro-cery in-no-cence mag-nif-i-cent op-po-site
grudge in-no-cent main-tain op-ti-mism
grue-some in-stance main-te-nance or-di-nance
guar-an-tee in-stead ma-jor-i-ty orig-i-nal
guard in-sti-tute mak-ing out-ra-geous
guard-ian in-sur-ance man-age-ment pag-eant
guess in-tel-li-gence ma-neu-ver paid
guide in-ter-cede man-u-al pam-phlet
guid-ance in-ter-est-ing man-u-fac-ture para-graph
guilty in-ter-fere mar-riage par-al-lel
gym-na-si-um in-ter-pret ma-te-ri-al par-a-lyze
gy-ro-scope in-ter-rupt math-e-mat-ics par-lia-ment
hab-i-tat in-ter-view may-or par-tic-u-lar-ly
ham-mer in-ti-mate meant pas-time
hap-haz-ard in-va-lid mea-sure pe-cu-liar
hap-pen in-ves-ti-gate med-i-cine per-ceive
hap-pi-ness in-vi-ta-tion me-di-eval per-haps
ha-rass in-rel-e-vant me-di-o-cre per-ma-nent
har-bor / har-bour ir-re-sist-ible me-di-um per-mis-si-ble
hast-i-ly ir-ri-gate mer-it per-se-ver-ance
hav-ing is-land mes-sage per-sis-tent
height is-sue mile-age per-son-al
hes-i-tate jan-i-tor min-ia-ture per-son-nel
hin-drance jeal-ous min-i-mum per-suade
his-to-ry jew-el-ry min-ute phe-nom-e-non
hoarse jour-nal mir-ror phy-si-cian
hol-i-day jour-ney mis-cel-la-neous piece
hon-or / hon-our judg-ment mis-chief planned
horde jus-tice mis-chie-vous pleas-ant
hor-ri-ble kitch-en mis-er-a-ble pneu-mo-nia
hos-pi-tal knowl-edge mis-ery pol-i-ti-cian
hu-mor-ous la-bel mis-sion-ary pos-ses-sion
hur-ried-ly lab-o-ra-to-ry mis-spell pos-si-ble
hy-giene lac-quer mois-ture prac-ti-cal-ly
hymn lan-guage mo-men-tous prai-rie
hy-poc-ri-sy laugh mon-u-ment pre-cede
iam-bic laun-dry mort-gage pre-ce-dence
id-io-syn-cra-sy law-yer mu-nic-i-pal pre-cious
il-lus-trate league mus-cle pre-fer-ence
imag-i-nary lec-ture mu-si-cian pre-ferred
imag-ine le-gal mys-te-ri-ous prej-u-dice
im-i-ta-tion leg-is-la-ture na-ive pres-ence
im-me-di-ate-ly le-gi-ti-mate nat-u-ral-ly prev-a-lent
im-mense lei-sure nec-es-sary prim-i-tive
im-mor-tal length ne-ces-si-ty pris-on-er
im-pa-tient li-a-bil-i-ty neigh-bor-hood priv-i-lege
im-por-tance li-a-ble nick-el prob-a-bly
im-pos-si-ble li-brary niece pro-ce-dure
im-promp-tu li-cense nine-teenth pro-ceed
im-prove-ment lieu-ten-ant nine-ty pro-fes-sor
in-ci-den-tal-ly light-ning no-tice-able prom-i-nent
in-con-ve-nience like-ly no-to-ri-ety pro-nounce
in-cred-i-ble lin-eage nu-cle-ar pro-nun-ci-a-tion
in-def-i-nite-ly liq-uid nui-sance pro-pa-gan-da
in-de-pen-dent lis-ten obey psy-chol-o-gy
in-dis-pens-able lit-er-ary oblige pub-lic-ly
in-di-vid-u-al lit-er-a-ture ob-sta-cle pur-sue
in-dus-tri-al live-li-hood oc-ca-sion pur-suit
in-dus-tri-ous liv-ing oc-ca-sion-al-ly quan-ti-ty
in-ev-i-ta-ble log-a-rithm oc-cur ques-tion-naire
in-fe-ri-or lone-li-ness oc-curred qui-et
in-fi-nite los-ing oc-cur-rence quite
in-flu-en-tial lov-able of-ten quo-tient
in-ge-nious love-ly omis-sion raise

rap-port scis-sors symp-tom use-ful
re-al-ize sec-re-tary tar-iff using
re-al-ly seize tech-nique usu-al-ly
re-ceipt sen-tence tele-gram va-ca-tion
re-ceive sen-ti-nel tem-per-a-ment vac-u-um
re-ceived sep-a-rate tem-per-a-ture valu-able
rec-og-ni-tion ser-geant tem-po-rary va-ri-ety
rec-og-nize sev-er-al ten-den-cy var-i-ous
rec-om-mend se-vere-ly ter-ri-ble veg-e-ta-ble
ref-er-ence shin-ing ter-ri-to-ry ve-loc-i-ty
re-ferred siege the-atre ven-geance
re-hearse sig-nif-i-cance there-fore very
rel-e-vant sim-i-lar thief vi-cin-i-ty
re-lieve since thor-ough-ly view
re-li-gious sin-cere-ly though vig-i-lance
re-mem-ber sol-emn through-out vil-lain
re-mem-brance soph-o-more tired vis-i-ble
rep-e-ti-tion source to-bac-co vis-i-tor
rep-re-sen-ta-tive spe-cif-ic to-geth-er voice
res-er-voir spec-i-men to-mor-row vol-ume
re-sis-tance speech tongue wan-der
re-spect-a-bly sphere to-night war-rant
re-spect-ful-ly stopped touch weath-er
re-spec-tive-ly straight tour-na-ment Wednes-day
re-spon-si-bil-i-ty strat-e-gy trag-e-dy weird
res-tau-rant strength trans-ferred wel-fare
rheu-ma-tism study-ing trea-sur-er where
rhyme sub-tle tried wheth-er
rhythm suc-ceed tries which
ri-dic-u-lous suc-cess tru-ly whole
sac-ri-le-gious suf-fi-cient Tues-day whol-ly
safe-ty su-per-fi-cial tu-ition whose
sal-a-ry su-pe-ri-or-i-ty typ-i-cal width
sand-wich su-per-sede unan-i-mous wor-thy
sat-is-fac-to-ry sup-ple-ment un-doubt-ed-ly wreck-age
Sat-ur-day sup-pose uni-ver-si-ty wres-tler
scarce-ly sure-ly un-nec-es-sary writ-ing
scene sur-prise un-prec-e-dent-ed writ-ten
sched-ule syl-la-ble un-til yel-low
sci-ence sym-pa-thy up-per yes-ter-day

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INTRODUCTION

Read, and be aware of words:

ABOUT THIS BOOK

This is followed by the fifth volume dealing with Word Groups.

1. ABASE (verb) 5. ABBREVIATION (noun)

2. ABASH (verb) 6. ABDICATE (verb)

49. ADHERE (verb)

39. ACME (noun) 51. ADJOURN (verb)

61. AFFABLE (adj) 74. ALTERCATION (noun)

93. APPALLING (adj) 105. ASCETIC (adj)

115. ATTENUATE (verb) 127. AVOW (verb)

168. BRAVADO (noun) 180. BURSARY

186. CALIBRE (noun) 200. CARNIVORE (noun)

192. CANVASS (verb) 205. CERTITUDE (noun)

194. CAPRICIOUS (adj) 207. CHAPERONE (verb)

264. CONSCIENTIOUS (adj) 278. CONVICT (verb)

275. CONTRAVENE (verb) 287. COURTESY (noun)

290. COYNESS (noun) 303. CURRENT (adj)

291. CRASS (adj) 304. CURSORY (adj)

350. DETEST (verb)

369. DISCRIMINATE (verb) 381. DISSONANCE (noun)

370. DISDAIN (verb) 382. DISTEND (verb)

388. DOGGED (adj) 400. EARMARK (verb)

412. ELOQUENT (adj) 425. ENDANGER (adj)

417. EMBEZZLE (verb) 430. ENSHRINE (verb)

441. ESPOUSE (verb) 453. EXACERBATE (verb)

444. ETIQUETTE (noun) 456. EXHORTATION (noun)

448. EVASIVE (adj) 461. EXPULSION (noun)

485. FELICITY (noun)

492. FIENDISH (adj) 505. FOOTING (noun)

494. FINESSE (noun) 507. FOREBODING (noun & adj)

495. FINESSE (noun) 508. FORESTALL (verb)

521. FRUGAL (adj) 533. GARBLED (adj)

541. GENERATION (noun) 554. GOAD (verb)

542. GENESIS (noun) 555. GORY (adj)

620. INCAPACITY (noun) 633. INDUBITABLE (adj)

634. INEBRIATION (noun)

623. INCIPIENT (adj) 636. INFLUX (noun)

664. INTERVENED (verb) 677. IRASCIBLE (adj)

665. INTIMIDATE (verb) 678. IRKSOME (adj)

666. INTRACTABLE (adj) 679. IRRESOLUTE (adj)

674. INVINCIBLE (adj) 687. JUNCTION (noun)

715. LEGION (noun) 727. LIEGE (noun)

717. LENIENT (adj) 729. LITANY (noun)

723. LIBEL (noun)

762. MANGLE (verb) 775. MAYHEM (noun)

771. MARVEL (verb) 783. MELLOW (adj)

773. MAVERICK (noun) 785. MEMOIR (noun)

810. MOTTLED (adj) 824. NEGATE (verb)

814. MURKY (adj) 827. NIGGLE (verb)

818. MUTINOUS (adj) 830. NOISOME (adj)

819. NADIR (noun) 831. NON-COMMITTAL (adj)

835. NOTIONAL (adj) 847. OBSTINATE (adj)

838. NUGATORY (adj) 851. ODYSSEY (noun)

840. OBDURATE (adj) 853. OMNIPOTENT (adj)

842. OBLIGATE (verb) 855. ONSLAUGHT (noun)

845. OBNOXIOUS (adj) 858. OPIATE (noun)

864. OSTENSIBLE (adj) 877. OVERSIGHT (noun)